Madeline; or, the castle of Montgomery, a novel. In three volumes. 1794: Vol 1

MADELINE;

CASTLE |

OF

MONTGOMERY,

A NOVEL.

IN THREE VOLUMES,

— .. —

VOI. 1

LONDON:
PRINTED FOR WILLIAM LANE,
AT THE

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LEADENHALL- STREET.

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MADELINE,
. OR Wan

CASTLE OF MONTGOMERY. -

CHAP. 1,

*

N one of the moſt fertile and cultivated
countries in the north of England, on the
banks of a beautiful winding river, ſtuod the
ancient caſtle of Montgomery. In the front
was a ſpacious lawn, ſheltered on one ſide by
thick embowering woods, on the other a
large track of ground, which nature had
adomed with the fineſt verdure, and the hand
VOL. 1, B of

— — —
— —— — — —

1
2 MADELINE.

of induſtry enriched—giving it a pleaſing
variety, —a high hill, covered with purple
heath, and aromatic herbs which ſcented the
air, and yielded food to the numerous wild
deer that graced the diſtant proſpect, bound-
ed the ſence: From this hill the river had
its ſcource, guſhing from it, over lofty rug-
ged rocks, formed a grand and natural caſ-
cade, and winding in various meanders
through the valley, as it glided at the foot
of the lawn became ſmooth and muſical.—
this hill joined itſelf by a gentle deſcent to a
ridge of mountains, which entirely ſheltered
the back part of the building, gardens and
pleaſure grounds, from the bleak northern
blaſts.

The Caſtle was a gothic piece of architec-
ture, —erected in thoſe days, when the in-
dividual was obliged to preſerve himſelf, and
guard his family and property by force of
arms, from the lawleſs ravager and unprin-
cipled ruffian. In the reign of Edward the
Confeſſor it was granted to the anceſtors of
Major

MADELINE. 3

Major Archibald Montgomery then barons
of that name, — but being deſtroyed in the
ſucceeding reigns by the internal wars which
divided the realm, it was rebuilt by Henry
the Firſt, reſtored to the original owners, to-
gether with its valuable and extenſive do-
mains, in reward for military ſervices, which
well deſerved the gift from the munificent
monarch. The failure of male iſſue had ſunk
the title, but the pride of anceitry had ſtill
preſerved the name. For generations it had
{tood the united attacks of war and time ; nor
had the ravages of ſeven hundred years ren-
dered It uninhabitable at the period Major
Montgomery was reluctantly drawn from
its beloved ſhades, again to tread thoſe patlis
he hoped he had retired from for ever.

The predeceſſors of Major Montgomery
were not infallible; extravagance is the
error of the great, the faſhionable and the
gay, and the revenue, ariſing from the eſtates,
from a clear ten thouſand per annum, was re-
duced to one thouiand, when it devolved to
: "WY the

4 MADELINE,

the father of Major Montgomery, nor could
he boaſt of ceconomy : A courtier, bred in the

ſchool of faſhion, he deemed it beneath him,
and probably his ſon had not poſſeſſed a
ſingle acre, but that his mother's jointure
ſecured five hundred a year, during her life on
theeſtate ; his father frequently obſerved, with
a ſatirical peeviſhneſs, that his anceſtors had
bequeathed him a heap of ruins, and a few
corn fields to expole the ſpreading fragments.

Archibald Montgomery and his fiſter Ellen
were the only children of a faſhionable mar-
riage ; Ellen was early initiated in the gay
world, young, beautiful, and a votary of
pleaſure, —ſhe knew no wiſh beyond admi-
ration,—no joy ſuperior to conqueſt, —and
at the age of eighteen, wedded Mr. Forteſ-
que, (who had at leaſt numbered fifty win-
ters) bartering youth and lovelineſs, for age
and eighty thouſand pounds. Thus having
diſpoſed of the daughter, Mr. Montgomery
devoted his whole time to form the manners

of his ſon, according to his own ideas of per-
e fection,

a

MADELINE. MY

fection, and by early inſtilling his own favo-
rite maxims, hoped to fave much trouble at a
future period; he wiſhed him a man of the
world, —and after giving him a liberal edu-
cation at Oxford, recalled him to make his
political entree in life. In his ſon's favor he
had declined a feat in parliament, and hoped,
by giving his talents what he deemed a
proper bias, to behold him arrive at the
firſt dignities : He had a right to be ſanguine,
for few were bleſſed with ſuch a ſon; to the
fineſt figure and moſt animated countenance,
he united a brilliant underſtanding, a gene-
rous heart, and a ſoul replete with all the
Virtues of humanity ; juſtice guided every
thought and action, and tempered, not weak-
ened, it with the mildeſt mercy ; his glow-
ing imagination pictured mankind as he
wiſhed them, not as he, alas, found them, —
he ſighed to be in action, but his mind re-
colled from the dull plodding ſchemes of the
politician, for he learned from his father, that
he muſt ſubmit every wiſh to the plans of
ſtate, muſt relinquiſh the darling birch-

B 3 right

6 MADELINE

right of a Briton—freedom, and aid the
deſigns of a miniſter, though in direct oppo-
fition to his -own ideas of propriety. But
theſe court practices he diſdained, and the
fawning ſubtle courtier he held in con-
tempt.— No !” cried the noble ſpirited
youth, © this arm, till nerveleſs, ſhall ſerve
the beſt of ſovereigns, but my heart ſhall
ſtill retain its honeſt freedom, ſtill hold the
right of nature to ſpeak its ſentiments, nor
dread and ther's frown,—nothing ſhall tempt
nor intimidate me to forſake my own notions
of rectitude; had I indeed the independence
of my forefathers, I might take another part,
and reſcue the ſons and daughters of poverty
and oppreſſion, from the perſecuting hand
of unfeeling power : But as I am, there 1s
that within me, which heaven made free, and
nothing earthly ſhall controul.“

Such were the determinations of Archibald
Montgomery, when his father opened the door
of the ſtudy where he was ſeated, -and ad-
vancing, witha look of ſatisfied importance,

informed

MADELINE. 7

informed him, the borough of Upwell wait-
ed his acceptance, and that he was impatient
to preſ-nt him to the miniſter. Seeing him
about to ſpeak, he bade him ſuſpend his ac-
knowledgements until he heard the further
claims he had on his gratitude,---< from the
character,“ continued he, “ that J have given
my deareſt friend, Sir John Howard, of you;

and the diſtinguiſhed figure your friends ex-
pect to fee you make, by your abilities in
the political line, in which my care has ſo
early placed you—he is induced, I ſay, to
ly his commands on his only daughter and
heireſs, to receive your addreſſes; it would

be unneceſſary,—indeed, fir, an inſult to your
underſtanding, to point out the various ad-
vantages of this alliance ; beſides Sir John's
great intereſt, and influence in parhament,
Miſs Howard, firſt and laſt, will have one hun-
dred and fifty thouſand pounds, —you will
receive ſeventy with her hand,” and added
he, ſmiling,” © as you have always held the
ruins of Montgomery Caſtle in veneration, you
„ may rebuild it, and redeem the ancient mort:
B 4 gages.

x MADELINE.
gages, You will be ſenſible, fir, very few

young men enter life with the advantages and
cclat you will.“ |

Archibald Montgomery had ever reſpect-
ed and loved his father as a parent, but
never revered him as a man, his principles
he never approved, —and in this inſtance he
only beheld him as a tyrant, who, to pro-
mote his own ambitious views, neglected
the voice of nature, and built his plans on
the ruins of an only ſon's happineſs, without
thinking it even neceſſary to conſult his in-
clination or underſtanding. But well know-
ing the irritability of his paſſions, he wiſhed
not to provoke them by an immediate diſ-
cloſure of his determined reſolution to de-
cline both the alliance of Sir John Howard
and the ſeat in parliament: So riſing, at the
cloſe of his father's harangue, with a reſpect-
ful bow, he informed him that he was fully
ſenſible of his paternal care, and that he
would take a very early opportunity to offer
a few hints on the occaſion, which he made

no

MADELINE. 9

no doubt ſo anxious a parent would attend
to, and without giving him time to reſume
his converſation, left the ſtudy,—and the
houſe a few minutes after.

As he walked penſively down the Green
Park, he received a ſmart ſlap on the back,
and turning quickly round to ſee who diſturb-
ed the train of his ideas, recognized Sir
Joſeph Cleveland, an Oxford friend, with
whom he had lived in intimacy at college.
After a ſhort promenade they adjourned to
St. James's coffee-houſe, where they dined ;
cover their claret they mutually exchanged
confidence ; Sir Joſeph thought his friend
rather romantic, and ſmiling, told him he
was a perfect philoſopher, to refuſe ſuch daz-
zling offers, — adding, © had not Dame For-
tune, Montgomery, thrown the weight of ten
thouſand a year on my ſhoulders, I much
doubt if my reſolution could have withſtood
ſuch temptations: but - prithee, what doth
mean to do ? command me my dear fellow,
a-propos,--you mentioned a wiſh to enter

h —_— | the

the army, I am about to diſpoſe of a cor-
netcy, which my friends, to accompliſh me

ala militarie, purchaſed---do me the favor to

accept it. Little more can be ſaid on the
ſubject, the tear of gratitude gliſtened in the

eye of Montgomery, he graſped the hand of

his friend, but could not ſpeak---bowed---
and. retired ; next morning he wrote a. very
reſpectful letter to his father, yet with a re-
ſolute refuſal of his propoſals, ſubmitted his
reaſons to the contemplation of his unpre-
judiced moments,---informed him he had
accepted a cornetcy from the liberal hand
of his friend, Sir Joſeph Cleveland, and con-
cluded with intreating leave perſonally to
aſſure him that, in every other inſtance, he
ſhould feel a lively ſatisfaction to evince his
duty and regard,---the reply was laconic ;
ce that henceforward he ſhould conſider him
as an alien to his blood, and a ſtranger to
his heart; indeed, forget he exiſted, and de-
fired that he might never awaken the pain-
ful remembrance by a preſence that would
ever be obnoxious to his memory and ſight.”

3 Our

MADELINE. 11

Our young cornet received this anſwer,
with the mingled ſenſations of pride, ſorrow
and indignation, he had always been a duti-
ful ſon; and nothing but a conſciouſneſs,
that he acted with rectitude of principle
could have ſupported him under the painful
reflection of being baniſhed from a parent's
preſence. He immediately joined his regi-
ment, and on its being ordered to Yorkſhire
again wrote, and entreated his father's bene-
diction : his letter was returned unopened,
in a blank cover, addreſſed by his valet, -
he had little hope of having it honored with
a better reception,---but he owed the at-
tempt to his own notion of duty,---and Right,
in the idea of Archibald Montgomery, was
ever a rule for his conduct, — nor did he
regret the effort, though productive of humi-

hation.

Ihn the gay ſociety of his brother officers,
and the friendſhip of Sir Joſeph Cleveland,
his natural cheerfulneſs ſoon triumphed over
his chagrin, and there were moments when
s B 6 he

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12 MADELINE,

he even forgot his father was offended. In
the vicinity of York a ball was given, in
honor of a young nobleman's coming of age,
who was then on. his travels, the military
are ſeldom, neglected on theſe occaſions,
and as the officers of that regiment had be-
haved with ſingular propriety, during their

abode in York, they were without exception.

invited.

I have already obſerved, Mr. Montgo-
mery had an elegant figure, and it appear-
ed to much advantage in a ſplendid uniform,
added to that, he poſſeſſed a vivacity, which
without the embeliſhments of fiction, or
double entendre rendered him ſo pleaſing a
companion, that the old liſtened with ap-
probation, and the young with pleaſure.
During the feſtivity of that evening the females
honored him with particular marks of diſtinc-
tion, and as he led a little lovely thing to
her ſeat, his eyes were attracted by one of
the ſweeteſt figures he had ever ſeen, the
ladies were moſtly ſo brilliant in their dreſs,

that

——————

MADELINE, 13

that until then ſne had eſcaped his notice,
being ſimply attired in white crape, with no
other ornament than a black velvet ceſtus
claſped with pearls; her hair without powder;
had a band of the ſame colour, which faſtened
a moderate plume of white feathers; as he
held his partner's hand the lady roſe and paid
her the compliments of the evening; ſhe ſpoke
with a ſoftneſs peculiar to melancholy,—and
as he ſeated himſelf between them for the re-
mainder of the night, he ſometimes obſerved'
a tear ſtart in her eye, a penſive- ſmile ani-
mated her lovely features, and a delicate lan-
gourwas diffuſed over her countenance, which
rather indicated. a ſuffering mind, than an
afflicted frame, for the roſe of health bloom-
ed with freſhneſs upon her cheek. The
heart of Montgomery was fuſceptible,---he
felt ſhe was unhappy, he loved her in her
forrow, and thought it only pity ; at ſupper, to-
his extreme mortification they were ſeparated,
and with an air of aſſumed indifference he
enquired of his, little chatty partner who ſhe
was, © of all ſtrange things,” replied ſhe, © it

18

14 MADELINE.

is to me the ſtrangeſt, that thoſe ſober ſen-
timentaliſts (drawling out the words) can at-
tract even the momentary notice of a gay,
faſhionable youth ; and yet I have known
them carry off the fineſt in the country ; pray
what is the charm, where 1s the magnet that
attracts ?” looking alluringly at him, Mont-
gomery was gallant, and politely told her,
that he felt her ſo irreſiſtibly attractive that
he had not then inclination to conſider,--tap-
ping him gently with her fan ſhe anſwered,
a red coat could not ſuffer ſuch a fair oppor-
tunity for a compliment to eſcape,---but
continued ſhe, gardez vous bien monſieur,---
- Miſs Clifford is beyond your reach, ſhe is
dying, poor little dear, becauſe her kind papa
obliges her to be Lady Rutland with fifteen
thouſanda year, to be ſure theold Lord is gouty
or ſo, but what then, ſhe is ſo demure, ſo
fond of retirement, of attending the ſick and
healing the broken hearted, that ſhe will make
an incomparable nurſe, and then it will fo
pleaſe papa, his lordſhip taking her without
a penny ; aye, Mr. Montgomery, without
one penny Lord Rutland will marry the re-

luctant

e oo ton ITS ont <<» Ho > eo er EEE ee Os OO

MADELINE. 15

luctant Madeline Clifford! Miſs Myres might
have run on for ages, her auditor fat appa-
rently ſtupid, only uttering, —is, —is there no
remedy ? indeed, fir, interrupted ſhe, your
errantry is uſeleſs ; there is none, 10 aid con-
tinued ſhe, with ſome pique obſerving his,
chagrin, “ that you can offer will be accept-
ed, unleſs you can place LORD before your
name, and a few little o's, preceded with an
L. to the revenue of Montgomery ruins,”
ſhe continued to rally him without mercy, till
the company removed to the ball room, -
his eye wandered for Miſs Clifford---he faw
her engaged in converſation with an old man,
whom he ſoon diſcovered to be her intended
Lokd; as he paſſed, he heard her ſay “ per-
fectly indifferent, fir,” and he imagineda bluſh
roſe as he looked in her face; in a few
minutes ſhe quitted the room. The vivacity
of his partner no longer amuſed, ſhe was diſ-
pleaſed at his apparent abſence, and rejoined
the dance; he ſoon followed the example of
his fair enſlaver, and departed in a ſtate of
mind, I leave thoſe hearts which have fel.
| the

MADELINE.

the influence of mild blue eyes to imagine.
He retired to bed, but not to reſt, the idea
of Miſs Clifford, facrificed to age and infir-
mity, ſtill obtruded and deprived him of that
ſweet oblivion he ſo much needed.

Next day he aroſe unrefreſhed, and was
rallied by his companions for his. thoughtful-
neſs, he bore their pleaſantry with an impa-
tience which aſtoniſhed them, for he was the
beſt natured of human beings. He requeſted
leave of abſence for a fewdays, it was granted,
and without any deſign, without even being
able to define his own intentions, he turned

his. horſe's head towards the romantic town.

of Richmond. I have heard of lovers, who.
to evince the warmth of their paſſions, have

ſtood ſhivering in a ſtormy evening under the

caſements of their beloved, deriving a me-
lancholy pleaſure from knowing their miſ-

treſſes were within; whether Mr. Montgo-

mery meant himſelf ſuch an indulgence, the
ſequel muſt diſcloſe as Lord Clifford's ſum-
mer reſidence was only two ſhort miles from
the

MADELINE. r7

the beautiful little town above mentioned.---
After a ride of twenty four miles in a clear
September morning, he arrived at the Crown
Inn, which was ſituated at the entrance of
Richmond; he ordered breakfaſt, and while it
was preparing, demanded of his hoſteſs to whom
the noble manſion belonged which ſtood in
the delightful valley, ſhe anſwered with a ſigh,
« ah, fir, in that houſe I ſpent my happieſt
days, with the beſt lady that ever lived, ſhe
15 now reaping the reward of her goodneſs:
ah!“ added ſhe, weeping, © had ſhe lived my
own child, her darling Madeline, nouriſhed
at this breaſt, would not be as ſhe 1s---but”
compoſing herſelf, why trouble a ſtranger! the
houſe, ſir, belongs to Lord Clifford.“

Proceed my good woman,” replied he,

haſtily, and with evident emotion, I could
liſten for ages, ſay, can nothing be done to
prevent the fatal nuptials of Madeline Clif-
ford with the deteſted Lord Rutland?! ?

When Mrs, Browne (the name of his
hoſteſs) diſcovered her gueſt was intereſted
| 1

18 MADELINE.

in the buſineſs, ſhe was very communicative,

and gave him ample confirmation of what

Miſs Myres had told him, with the addition
that Lord Clifford was a deſpotic tyrant to
his family, only conſulted his own ambition
in the diſpoſal of it, and that his harſh man-
ners had brought his Lady to an early grave:
He alio was informed that the daughter of his
hoſteſs was maid to Miſs Clifford, and that
ſhe was actually premeditating flight; as
every conſideration funk before the dread of
a forced marriage, with a man who was ſo
much the object of her deteſtation.
* b

During the day, Mr. Montgomery was loſt

in thoughtful ſilence, unleſs when he directed
any queſtion to Mrs. Browne: towards even-
ing he reſolved to ſtrole round the plantation
of Clifford Park, and indulge his melancholy,
and had wandered near an hour, when a natu-
ral viſta opening on the wood, diſcovereda pile
of romantic ruins, on which the ſetting ſun
ſhone with mild luſtre; as it was at no great
diſtance, he haſtened to review it, and was
5 ſtruck

ſtruck with religious awe, on beholding the
fallen grandeur of a magnificent abbey : ad-
vancing a few paces he found himſelf in the
porch of a chapel, the walls on one ſide were
entire, and part of a ſuperb altar raiſed, of the
moſt beautiful marble, ſtill preſerved for the
admiring eye the labour of hands long moul-
dered in the duſt; on the floor were huge
pieces of monumental] marble overgrown, with |
briars and thiſtles ; here lay an emblematic
figure of innocence, in equal diſhonor and
neglect with the duſt it covered, duſt which
one day perhaps had been animated with all
the virtues of humanity; there had the hand
of time, with triumphant pride over the at-
tempts of mortality, to ſave the good from ob-
lvion, propped on a rude ſtone a fragment of
moſs-grown alabaſter, on which the damps
of dreary centuries had nearly effaced,---even
the engraving of © here lies the great,” alas!
what is human vanity ! the eye could trace
no farther, deeply impreſſed with the ſolem-
nity of the ſcene; the youth who but the even-
ing before had ſhone in all the glitter of dreſs,
and vivacity of ſpirit dropped a knee on the
moulder-

20 MADELINE.

mouldering ſtone, and exclaimed © here the
wicked ceaſe from troubling, here the weary
are at reſt,” a few more fleeting years and
even thou, oh] Montgomery, young as thou
art will be cold and ſenſeleſs as theſe ; it was
the hour of refle&tion---his father recurred to
remembrance ; alas! alas! he continued, no
kind friend mayſt thou have, to make even-
this attempt to fave thy name from undiſtin-
guiſhed duſt, but in ſome far. foreign land;
covered with wounds and blood, ſome ftran-.
ger's hand may throw thee in an unhallowed;
orave, yet may the exulting ſpirit, ſupported
by infinite goodneſs, and a life of integrity
wing its flight to the abodes of bliſs,” he aroſe,
folded his hands and added---* and thou,
oh Madeline! virtuous perſecuted angel!
whom perhaps a parent's rigour may precip1-
tale to an untimely grave; thy meekneſs ſhall
receive its gue reward above, yet while on
earth, could but Montgomery fave thee---
his arms ſhould ſhield. thee. from tyranny,
watch thy innocence, and guard thy ſweet-
neſs from every inclement blaſt of ſtormy.
life ;”” he was proceeding in his ſoliloquy when

| he

MADELINE. 21

he imagined he heard a hollow ſigh ; a ſtran-
ger to fear, he approached that fide of the

altar, from whence the ſound iſſued, he be-
held nought fave broken pieces of lettered
ſtone, placed as ſteps over the ſinking rafts
of a cavity, which appeared hke a repoſi-
tory for bones, by ſeveral heaps which he
diſcovered he paſt them, and on reaching a
range of mouldering cloyſters evidently be-
held a figure in white glide nimbly along, he
had nearly loſt it when a rugged ſtone caught
the robe, and ſtopped .the flight of the fair
apparition; at ſunk, claſping a decayed pillar;
Montgomery approached, the laſt rays of the
ſetting ſun beamed on the countenance, and

diſcovered the gentle trembling Madeline
Clifford.

Before we proceed it is neceſſary to account
for the appearance of Miſs Clifford in this

ſequeſtered ſpot, long ſince the dwelling of
the dead. The reader is already acquainted

vith her ſituation, but a few days had to
clapſe ere ſhe became the wedded victim,
6 the

22 MADELINE.

the wife of a proudunfeeling Lord; naturally of
a meek temper, ſhe knew her ſpirits were un-
able to contend, remonſtrance was'vainwith the
determined fury of her father. She therefore re-
folved, attended by her maid, to quit the pater-
nal abode, and ſeek from ſtrangers that pity
denied by her parent, until ſhe could claim the
protection of a beloved brother. She had con-
veyed her linen and jewels to the Crown, and
on this · evening ſhe intended putting her de-
ſign in execution; but before ſhe took an
eternal leave of her native ſhades, ſhe wiſned
to ſhed one tear more on the tomb of a
mother, and over her ſacred duſt vow to imi-
tate thoſe virtues, which had ſo eminently
adorned her character, virtues which ſhe
Wl vainly endeavoured to trace in the manners of
her father,---in her way to the family vault
ſhe- wiſhed to give a parting ſigh to her
favorite ruins, and to take a laſt look had
ſeated herſelf behind the altar, when ſhe ſaw
I| | Montgomery enter: His character was well
| known to her, and ſhe eſteemed it, when ſhe

| viewed him the preceding evening, with a
degree

MADELINE. 23

degree of admiration ; and circumſtanced as
ſhe was, it is little to be wondered if ſhe
wiſhed for ſo amiable a prote tor. Her noble
brother was far from the voice of her com-
plaint; her ſiſter, Lady Delahay was her father's
child, and leagued againſt her peace. She
knew no friend to ſhelter or dire& her, had
no confidant but her nurſe and maid to
guide her, their affection ſhe valued, but
their judgment ſhe feared to truit, ſhe had
formed no plan except eſcape from horror
ine xpreſſible. In that forlorn and dejected
condition, in her way to Lady Clifford's tomb,

| where an ancient domeſtic, who kept the
keys, and her maid awaited her, ſhe was ſur-
priſed by the appearance of Mr. Montgo-
mery : when ſhe heard him name her with
ſuch, impaſſioned tenderneſs. ſhe was pleaſed,
yet knew. not why---nvetcd to her feat on
the old altar, ſhe had beheld: his demeanor
from the moment he entered the ruins, her
ſenſations, were indeſcribable - ſhe could have
gazed and liſtened for ever yet wiſhed to
fly, in the attempt ſhe heard herſelf purſued,
her

*
29 MADELINE,

her heart beat quick, ſurrounding objects
faded from her fight=ſhe trembled—and
feeling her train ſtopped, graſped the old pil-
lar and ſunk to the earth, that moment our
young ſoldier reached her,. — folding her hands
with a look the ſavage Indian muſt have piti-
ed, ſhe wildly cried, * am loſt,” his arms
ſupported her fainting form, while with that
ingenuous ardour deceit could never wear,
and the moſt delicate tenderneſs, he inform-
ed her that her ſufferings were not unknown ;
<« permit” added he with energy, one wo
venerates the virtues of Miſs Clifford to place
her in fafety—fear not Madam - ſuch purity
is ſacred even from an unhallowed thought,
oh! let not then a punctillio, to which your
mind muſt be ſuperior, induce you to refuſe,
in this hour of need, the protection of an ad-
miring friend, who trembles for ſuch unſuſ-
pecting Jovelineſs being expoſed to the de-
ſigns of the bad and inſolent, your delicacy
ſhall be ſacred--I will never approach you
without permiſſion, he alſo informed her how
he became acquainted with her affairs ſo

perfectly

MADELINE, 25

perfectly, Miſs Clifford ſpoke little, con-
ſented to accept his protection, his aſylum,
until reſtored to her brother, © to-morrow,
at this hour, in theſe ruins I will meet you,
ſaid ſhe---and in a voice ſcarcely audible,
ce oh ſhould you ever have a daughter, learn
from my fate, and fad circumſtances, not to
force her from the line of duty,” tears of an-

guiſh ſtreamed down her lovely cheeks, as
ſhe added, © oh ! my obdurate father, to what
imprudence doſt thou compelthy forlorn child
Sir,” faid ſhe, after a pauſe, with recovered
dignity, © fir, I repoſe on your honor, whither
will you conduct me when I quit the park?“
Mr. Montgomery was not unprepared, A
young gentleman of amiable manners, brought
up at college with him, was lately married,
and had ſucceeded his father in the rectory of
Montgomery; a warm and virtuous friend-
ſnip ſubſiſted between them, and to his man-
ſion, where cheerful hoſpitality reigned, Miſs
Clifford was informed ſhe ſhould be conveyed;
—2 faint ſmile of pleaſure appeared on her

VOL, I. C face,

I
„

26 MADELINE. | ©

face as parting from him ſhe ſofty exclaimed,
ce what do I not owe you !''——

Montgomery returned to the inn with all
thoſe pleaſureable ſenſations which accompany
a generous intention; and let not the ſeverely

virtuous altogether condemn the compliance

of Miſs Clifford; where is the female of ſenſi-
bility who dares declare ſhe would not in her
ſuffering ſtate have accepted the ſame pro-
tection ? She beheld herſelf on the verge of
miſery and had no alternative. A meſſenger
was diſpatched to Mr. Alworthy at the rectory
with neceſſary inſtructions, — Montgomery and
his lovely charge eſcaped-without any adven-
ture, and that day three months the fair fugi-
tive became the bride of her gallant protector.
---Lord Clifford refuſed his forgiveneſs, yet

imprecated no malediction, he conſidered that

ſhe had entailed on herſelf, ample puniſhment
in the life of poverty that awaited her, and

: comforted himſelf with the reflection, that he

and his family would ſoon forget her very
name,

Mrs,

MADELINE. 27

Mrs. Montgomery wrote repeated letters
to her brother, but receiving no anſwer, ima-
gined that he alſo diſapproved her conduct.
There are many of my readers who will begin
to ſuppoſe, from my prolixity, that Miſs Clif-
ford is the heroine of theſe memoirs, if ſo 1
entreat their pardon for leading them into the
error, but I deemed it neceſſary to the intro-
duction of ſome characters which will make a2
conſpicuous figure in this hiſtory, but that 1
may not treſpaſs too much on their patience,
will only add, before we conduct them to
Montgomery Caſtle, that the amiable pair,
through all the painful viciſſitudes ofa ſoldier's
life for twenty years, never knew the repen-
tance of a ſingle moment, — their parents died
before this hiſtory commences, during their
abode in the Weſt Indies;—the father of
Montgomery ſeverely regretted his rigor, and
prayed that his ſon might return in time to
cloſe his eyes, but heaven, too much offended],
deigned not to hear. Behold now, gentle
reader, Major and Mrs. Montgomery retir-

C 2 ing

28 MADELINE.

[ ing from the buſy ſcenes of a military life,
| to enjoy in the boſom of domeſtic peace, that
# happineſs they ſo amply merited,

CHAP. I.

AI OR Montgomery had a numerous
| family, but three only ſurvived; his ſon
fell at the age of nineteen fighting by his ſide,
it was almoſt too ſevere a ſhock for the deli-
cate frame of Mrs, Montgomery, but the
[| unabated tenderneſs of her huſband, and the
1 dawning graces of two charming girls riſing
into life, and who required her forming hand,

induced her to ſtruggle with her ſorrow, un-
nl

til reaſon reſumed her empire, and ſhe con-
ſidered her ſon was above her tenderneſs,
mourning could not recall him, but by im-
pairing her health do injuſtice and injury to
thoſe who had an equal claim upon her
heart,

When they arrived in England the Major
beheld with unaffeRed delight, that his wife
had regained a degree of compoſure, and even
cheerfulneſs, which he had never dared to
hope ; and that her grief might not be re-
vived by a renewal of military ſcenes, he
quitted the army, and determined to paſs the
evening of life, in the ſtill beloyed retirement -
of Montgomery Caſtle, ;

He was received by his ſiſter, Mrs. Forteſ-
que, with unfeigned pleaſure, who appeared
highly gratified that he had named his ſecond
daughter Ellen. She behaved to Mrs. Mont-
gomery with the warmeſt affection, and claſp-
ed her little god-daughter to her boſom with
rapture, © I have none of my own,” faid ſhe,

C 3 « ſo

— — . — 3 —V——
EEE EET ; 7 —

go MADELINE,

<« ſo you muſt allow me to conſider this love-

iy girl as my child,---I will not do her fo
much injuſtice as deprive her of fo excellent
a governeſs as her mother, but you muſt do
me the pleaſure to let me be her guardian. ---
What beautiful children! but my dear ſiſter,
Ellen far ſurpaſſes the dove eyed Madeline!“
ſhe then took a valuable watch from her ſide,
and delighted the child by hanging it on her
ſaſh, ſaying © I have another for you at home,
Madeline.” She informed her brother, that
her father had deeply mortgaged the lands of
Montgomery, and that a few hundred pounds

+ lay in the hands of the Steward ſince his death.

He immediately ſet out for the north, and was
welcomed by the worthy Rector, with all his
former friendſhip ; he had buried his wife and
had no children. The Caſtle now indeed,
appeared a heap of ruins, the eaſtern wing,
containing a range of ſuperb apartments, was
totally deſerted; the furnigure decaying, the
paper and ſtucco torn and broken, and the
windows ſhattered, the weſt wing was in a
worſe condition ſtill; the grand hall, once

the

MADELINE, 31

the ſcence of innocent mirth and Britiſh hoſ-
pitality, was become the habitation of owls,
bats and other birds of prey; the venerable
chapel, from whence the hymnofdevotiononce
aſcended an accepted offering to heaven, was
converted into a barn; the grand altar, where
the tear of piety had often fallen the ſigh of
penitence been often breathed, was hanging
with cobwebs and covered with damp and
ſlime ; the ſhrine deſtroyed, the pulpit tora,
and the frãgments ſcattered around, in ſhort
every thing wore the appearance of deſola-
tion ; the extenſive gardens were over-run
with baleful weeds, the pleaſure. grounds
equally wore the marks of neglect, and no-
thing but a young plantation which defied it,
appeared toflourith ; however, the ſteward was
diſmiſſed, and the arrears appropriated to the
repairs of the Caſtle; which was fitted up
with elegant neatneſs in the modern taſte
within, though the outſide ſtill preſerved its
antique grandeur; the chapel was reſtored
to its ſacred uſe; the gardens and pleaſure.
grounds by the ſpring, © bloomed another

| TS: Eden,”

82 MADELINE,

Eden, and a perfect wilderneſs of ſweets: by
the time that the manſion was ready for the
reception of the family, and all expences paid,

dme Major found, in landed property, and

from the ſale of his commiſſion, that he poſſei-
ſed ſix hundred a year; if my daughters,
thought he, are what I wiſh them, it will be
enough, if not, it is too much.

We will now return to Pall Mall, where
we ſhall find Mrs. Montgomery, her boſom
ſtill glowed with the affection of a ſiſter, ſhe
wiſhed to hear of her brother, and even of
that ſiſter, who had perſecuted her in youth.
She therefore quickly informed herſelf, that
the reſidence of Lord Delahay was in Groſ-
venor-Square, and that the family was in
town.—< My life is uncertain,” ſaid the ten-
der mother, Lady Delahay may be a friend
to my children, when the grave hath ſhelter-
ed me.“ Mrs. Montgomery had long forgot
the luxury of a coach, a hack ſhe knew inad-
miſſible at a great man's gate; ſo in a clear
froſty day, with a daughter in each hand, at-

tended

MADELINE, 98

tended by the faithful Jarvis, who had ſerved
her huſband through many a weary campaign,
ſhe ſet out on foot for Groſvenor- Square; Earl
Delahay, in large gold letters ſoon pointed
out the houſe; as ſhe approached the door her
ſpirits failed, and ſhe was about to return, when
the rap told her it was too late ; is Lady De-
lahay at home? enquired Jarvis.

ce T ſhall call one of her ladyſhip's footmen,”
ſaid a domeſtic. He came, the queſtion was
repeated, my Lady is inviſible till paſt two.“
«You will inform your Lady,” replied Jarvis,

rather ſternly, that the honorable Mrs.
Montgomery, her ſiſter, is here; 3” the half
cloſed door flew. wide, and ſhe was uſhered
into a ſuperb parlour; whether it. was owing
to the ſervant's neglect the ſequel may diſcover,
but Mrs. Montgomery, at half paſt two, was
only deſired to walk up ſtairs; when the groom
of the chambers opened the dreſſing room
door ſhe trembled ſo violently that it was
with difficulty ſhe tottered acroſs the floor
twenty-one years and an immoderate quantity
C 5. of

7 OO VPts wo. ib
*

_ * *
K — th 3d

- —_—
Þ — — ww” „ ren rp yo _—
. .
oy

34 MADELINE.

of rouge could nct conceal the ſiſter from
Mrs. Montgomery, had her arms been open
ſhe would have flown 1nto them, but as her
Ladyſhip and three daughters ſtood by the fire
to receive her, they hung negligently by her
ſide, ſhe raiſed her hand, timidly preſſed it
to her lips, and ſobbed “ my deareſt ſiſter,”
« dear Madeline,”” anſwered the Counteſs, a
little moved, then reſumingherdignity, © Tre-
vors—a fauteuil,“ ſhe was ſeated, Madeline
ſtood meekly by her ſide wondering at what
ſhe beheld, while Ellen whiſpered loud enough
to be heard, Mamma, may I fit down at

your feet? I am fo tired!“ Lady Bab, order-

ed chairs for the children, the bell was rung,
a ſervant entered, and the Miſs Montgomerys
ſeated. Aſter a pauſe, the ſilence was broke
by Mrs. Montgomery, hoping the Earl and
Lord Darville (whom ſhe had left an infant)
were well, “ you do me honor, perfectly well, I
ſuppoſe, faid the Counteſs after another pauſe,
* indeed ] hope it, for the taſk is unpleaſant
that you have heard that the late Lord Clif-

ford bore his reſentment of your diſhonora-
ble

MADELINE. 38

ble conduct to the grave.” —< Deareſt ſiſter,
is not diſhonorable too ſevere an epithet for,”
the Counteſs bowed and proceeded, cc though.
his Lordſhip once intended to leave us joint
heireſſes of his perſonal fortune, he altered his.
will on your elopement, and left you, left me“
interrupted Mrs. Montgomery, wich ſome
eagerneſs, © yes, Madam, left you one ſhilling,
to, as he expreſſed it,” —< ſpare ! ſpare me,
Lady Delahay,” cried Mrs. Montgomery, the
inference is agonizing, it requires no comment;
« does my brother alſo hold me in abhor-
rence? oh! if he does, in pity, tell it in
milder words; © he is under the ſame re-
ſtrictions as myſelf,” anſwered her Ladyſhip,
« and it is on forfeiture of all his father's ac-
quired fortune, which was immenſe, that he
ever ſpeaks, writes, or has any connection
with you or your family. Be ever happy then,
and enjoy thy juſt deſerts my much loved
brother never ſhall thy ſiſter pain thy generous
heart with entreaty; never ſhall the once loved
Madeline diſturb thy quiet with complaint.
C 6 The

B
— E —— . U: —
0
,

MADELINE.
The ſcene grew tireſome to Lady Delahay,

though ſhe took a malignant pleaſure in tor-
menting a ſiſter, ſtill beautiful enough in na-

tural charms to eclipſe her art ; ſhe therefore
interrupted her apoſtrophe with, © I regret
your queſtions have obliged me to give you
pain, and indeed Mrs---Mad--Madam you
will pardon me, I could have ſpared the viſit
from one in your condition, I will not of-
fend again, anſwered ſhe mildly, „I own,
I am not rich, I allude not to poverty, to-
what then? why you have never been able,
indeed I hardly know how to ſpeak it, you
have never prevaile1 on Mont—Montgo-
mery I think is his name, to wed you, you
are not married. Not married! Lady
Delahay, not married! Gracious God! ex-
claimed the indignant Mrs. Montgomery with,
all the pride of conſcious virtue, ] diſdain the-
reproach ! to you, Madam, a vindication of
my honor would be an inſult to innocence,
and to the principles of the firſt ofhuman kind,
my huſband; your Ladyſhip's memory fails,
"on: elſe

MADELINE _

elſe you muſt remember that the divine, who
united me to my Archibald, addreſſed Lord
Clifford and yourſelf in my favor a few days
after my nuptials ; but can my brother be-
lieve me living in infamy, he ſhall be unde-
ceived; my darling children,” added ſhe,
claſping them in her arms, © your purity ſhall
never be ſullied by ſuch a baſe aſperſion.”

It was very far from the wiſh of Lady De-
lahay, that her ſiſter ſhould inveſtigate the re-
port, or evince 1ts falacy to the world, as in
fact the marriage was never doubted even in
her own mind; but ſhe weakly ſuppoſed, to
impreſs. her ſiſter with the idea that Lord
Clifford believed ſhe had lived in diſhonor,
would effectually prevent a correſpondence,
and conſequently a revival of affection, which
ſhe ſaw, ſtill exiſted in the boſom of Mrs.
Montgomery and which lay dormant in the-
breaſt of her brother, and that it only required
the ſoft accent, or perſuaſive pen of a dar-
ling ſiſter to awaken: Finding therefore that
ſhe had overacted her part, and turned her

own

38 MADELINE.

own weapons againſt herſelf, ſhe aroſe with
a ſmile, and taking the hand of her ſiſter, ſaid
« ſhe was ſorry to ſee her ſo agitated, aſſured
her ſuch a report had never reached her bro-
ther, and that her own miſtake originated in a
fooliſh rumour, before ſhe was really married.”
— Conſcious of her own unerring virtue, this.
poor excuſe perfectly ſatisfied the unſuſpecting
Mrs. Montgomery, I feel for your condi-
tion,” continued her Ladyſhip, © I wiſh Lord

Clifford and I could act kinder, but I have
a large family; he is married and has a ſon.”

Mrs. Montgomery's attention was then en-
gaged—her brother to have a wife, a child,
a ſhe a ſtranger to them! her eyes gliſten-
ed, © oh! tell me of them,” cried ſhe, © for
J can never ſee them.“ Lady Delahay then
informed her, that he had eſpouſed Viola,
daughter and heireſs of the powerful Count
Valini, that they had returned to Italy, the
air of Britain not agreeing with her delicate
conſtitution ; that he loved her to adoration,
and placed his whole happineſs in her and his.

only
6

MADELINE. 39

only ſon; added, his Lordſhip ſeldom came
to England, and when he did, his ſtay was
very ſhort; Lady Delahay then condeſcended
to aſk for the Major, and what family ſhe had
beſide theſe two girls, © they are rather pretty
Mrs. Montgomery,” ſaid ſhe, © but nothing
like what I remember you ; Lady Matilda,”
looking at her eldeſt daughter, © how abomi-
nably you have rouged to day? I proteſt,”
looking at her watch, tis four o'clock !
what can detain the Ducheſs?” Mrs. Mont-
gomery took the hint, ſaying, while a tear
ſtarted in her eye, © ſhe would intrude no lon-
ger than to entreat one favor, and then take a
reluctant farewell; her Ladyſhip coloured, and
with a forced ſmile, replied, ſhe would cer-
tainly feel ploaſure in aſſiſting her, in granting
the favor, begged ſhe would conſider the
duty, the obedience ſhe owed to the com-
mands of a worthy parent, from which death
could not releaſe her: © my feelings, continu-

ed the Lady, „as a daughter, are tenderly
alve;” it is on your feelings, as a daughter,

replied her ſiſter, that I repoſe my hope of
your

42 MADELINE.
your compliance. The portraits of our pa-
rents were allotted you, may I be indulged
with a copy of my fainted mother? Oh!
cried her Ladyſhip, laughing, when Clifford:
left the Park, the kind ſoul preſented. me with
the lumber of the gallery, you are welcome
to them, tout enſemble, poſſitively they will
do very well to hide the walls of Montgo-
mery Caſtle, / they ſtill ſtand. Mrs. Mont-
gomery returned, that it was repairing fortheir
reception, that ſhe would treaſure the pictures,
firſt, as being the reſemblances of illuſtrious
anceſtors, and next, the preſent of an only-
ſifter. The Ladies then roſe, the bell was
rang, order Mrs. Montgomery's carriage;
the bluſh of a moment paſſed her cheek as ſne
faid ſhe had walked; pride added, the day was ſo
very fine; ſhe bluſhed again for the equivocal-
addition, when truth interpoſed, and finiſhed:
the ſentence with, this 1s one of the days in-
my life, that I did not regret the want of a
carriage ; with all the etiquette of faſhion on
one fide, and nature ſtruggling with love, pity
and reſentment on the other, the ſiſters with
a formal.

MADELINE, 47

a formal ſalute parted for the LAST TIME. The
ſpirits of Mrs. Montgomery had been much
agitated, and ſoothing was it on her return, to
find herſelf in the encircling arms of her huſ-
band, who had returned to conduct her and
his blooming girls to the Caſtle,

He liſtened with anguiſh and impatience to
his wife's recital, and when ſhe had finiſhed,
claſping her to his boſom, he whiſpered in
the ſofteſt voice, never more ſhall you, my
beloved Madeline, ſubmit to the inſults of a
proud unfeeling ſiſter, your happy Archibald
ſhall ſhield you, watch you, love and value
you for ever! all gratitude to that Being, who
after a life of ſufferings and difficulties, enables
us with theſe riſing bleſſings, looking at the
children with delight, to wear out the evening
of our days in an elegant retirement; and
though affluence may be abſent, competence
will ſweeten our domeſtic bliſs, and our life
be one continued ſcene of pleaſure, one mo-
ment of which, all the wealth and ſplendor of
Lady Delahay can never purchaſe,”

Mrs,

42 MADELINE.

Mrs. Forteſque ſoon joined the happy party
and partook a late dinner, regretted her huſ-
band's indiſpoſitton prevented her accom-
panying them to the north, as he was ordered
to try the waters of Bath. She loaded the girls
with finery, and preſented her ſiſter witha very
ſuperb ſet of table china, which her huſband,
amongſt other elegancies had brought from the
eaſt, and after promiſing to viſit the Caſtle
during the enſuing ſummer, they parted in the
moſt affe Rionate manner.

MADELIN E. 48

CHAP. II.

T TONEST Jarvis was diſpatched to an-
nounce the coming of the family, and on
the day of their arrival, Mr. Alworthy provid-
eda plentiful repaſt at the Rectory. The news
ſpreading, the tenantry determined to fally
forth, and eſcort their lord to his Caſtle;
twelve young damſels, an equal number of
young men, ſome with pikes and others
with crooks, were preceded by a band of
muſick, and to give dignity to their proceſ-
ſion, two of the moſt ancient tenants had pre-
vailed on old Giles, the bailiff, to lend the co-
lours of the Caſtle for the day; the tints indeed
were

44 MADELINE.

were not very bright, but the tatters had been
ſo nicely ſewed, that the arms of England were
evident on one, and thoſe of the Montgomery
family on the other; Mr. Alworthy and Jar-
vis {et out on horſeback, attended by the pro-
ceſſion, for the good Rector was willing to

encourage their honeſt and affectionate adhe-
rence, to a name and family he fo highly him-

ſelf reſpected.

They had proceeded little more than a
mile, when the coach appeared crofling a
ſtone bridge which ſeparated the lands of
Montgomery from a large market town; it
was with the moſt heart felt ſatisfaction, that
Mrs. Montgomery beheld the white turrets
of the Caſtle ; the Major ſhared her pleaſure,
as he pointed out the beauties of the changing
ſcenery, that the various turnings of the road
preſented: leaving the great road, the coach
aſcended a hill which afforded a perfect view
of the Caſtle and ſurrounding landſcape, the
heart of the young Madeline bounded with
delight as ſhe cried, © dear mamma! how

ſweet

MADELINE. 45

Tweet to wander in theſe woods, to fiſh in that
charming river! © Andhow I ſhalllove,” inter-

rupted Ellen, “ to run about that great Caſtle -

for I am ſo tired of being confined in London.“
Oh ! cried both, in the ſame moment, how
happy we ſhall be papa!“ he was about to

anſwer their innocent prattle, when with their

heads out of the window, they exclaimed,
what a number of people ! the Major looked
out, and taking the hand of Alworthy, who
that moment had reached them, he could not
reply, nor even hear out the friendly inquiry
of Mrs. Montgomery, for the muſic had
ſtruck up, and the hearty huzzas, and wel-
come to the Caſtle, iſſuing from many mouths,
drowned every other ſound ; they ſoon, with
infinite pleaſure, underſtood the cauſe, and
with a complacency that endeared them till
more, left the coach, and walked with the
more aged and infirm to the Caſtle.

Madeline was in raptures with all ſhe ſaw,
and Ellen was as well acquainted with the
young girls, as if ſhe had known them from

her cradle, and was eqully bufy ſtrewing the
flowers

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46 MADELINE.

flowers, unleſs when ſhe found a very pretty
one, which ſhe would place within her ſaſh.

The Major ordered them an excellent din-
ner, and plenty of good ale, when thanking
them for their attachment, and ſhaking each
cordially. by the hand, he aſſured them it
ſhould be his pleaſure to contribute to their
comfort ; with his wife and children, he at-
tended his friend to the Rectory, leaving Jar-
vis to take care of his tenants,

Before Major Montgomery quited Lon-
don, he read in a morning paper, to be ſold,
a a crane neck coach, very reaſonably ;” there
will be no living in the country, my love,
without a carriage, looking at his wife as if
he wiſhed her to ſay—no, and laying down
the paper, © here is one advertiſed to be ſold
cheap, we may as well purchaſe it ; I bought
ſome good ſtout horſes in Yorkſhire for the

farm; they may do occaſionally, added he
ſmiling, for the coach. She laughed and re-
plied, it would certainly be agreeable ; and

1

MADELINE, 47

in this ſame coach, new painted, with no
other ornament than a ſilver M, the family
arrived at the Caſtle. Next morning, while
the Major was engaged with his tenants, the
lady arranged her houſehold, —a cook, dairy
maid, laundreſs, and one houſe maid, with old
Martha at their head as houſekeeper, com-
pleated rhe female eſtabliſhment ; the men
ſervants, though leſs her province, ſhe ven-
tured alſo to ſclect from among the tenants ;
one footman, a coachman and errand boy,
and Jarvis was appointed butler, ſteward,
valet; in ſhort he was the fac totum of the
family, and always treated as an humble friend,

The eaſtern wing of the Caſtle, ſhe found
furniſhed with elegant neatneſs, and as it con-
tained the moſt commodious apartments, and
commanded the moſt beautiful proſpects, ſhe
determined to make it her more immediate
dwelling ; the rooms belonging to the weſtern
tower, were large and more gloomy, yet ſhe
ſuffered them not to be neglected, © he
lumber of Clifford Park gallery,” the portraits
of the Montgomery family, in the habits of

the

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48 MADELINE.
the ages in which they lived, and a collection

of modern prints which had been preſented

her by Mrs. Forteſque formed an exhibition
that even an amateur of painting would not

have diſdained to admire,

Her houſehold, eſtabliſhed in contentment
and regularity, ſhe turned her thoughts to the

education and improvement ofher daughters,

Madeline at- this period was ten years old,
bleſſed with a fine underſtanding and the ſweet-
eſt diſpoſition, the meekneſs of her nature
diffuſed itſelf over her form, while her ſoft
blue eyes animated a beautiful ſet of features,
and nothing could equal the delicacy of her
ſkin, but the roſe that bloomed upon her dim-
pled cheek ; ſhe promiſed not to be tall, but

was formed with the niceſt ſymmetry ; ſhe is

my heroine, yet I draw her not faultleſs, ſhe
poſſeſſed a degree of pride which was aſtoniſh-
ing, her mildneſs conſidered; ſhe was tolera-
bly well verſed in Engliſh and French, and
had made ſome progreſs in Italian, drew with

taſte and Judgement for her years, and had the
ſweeteſt

*

MADELINE. 49

ſweeteſt voice and finger imaginable. Read-
ing was her favorite amuſement, and greatly
tended to the enriching a mind, which, though
never giddy, was adorned with an innocent
cheerfulneſs extremely pleaſing; her heart
melted at the voice of ſorrow ; and permiſſion
to reheve it was her higheſt gratification.

Ellen was two years younger, and poſſeſſed
a brilliancy of beauty, which, when compar-
ed, threw Madeline's in the ſhade; her black
eyes rivalled the diamond's luſtre, her com-
plexion was fine as imagination ever pictured,
her wit ſparkling, and her vivacity enlivened
a form which promiſed to be uncommonly
elegant, her capacity, temper and every
paſſion were quick, and having all the advan-
tages of her ſiſter they grew, and improved
together; and when Madeline was ſeventeen,
ſhe was the mild, penetrating accompliſhed
woman, Ellen the finiſhed prepoſſeſſing beauty.
The method their mother adopted for
their education was widely different from
the modern ſyſtem ; faſhionable boarding

VOL, I, D ſchools

50 MADE LINE.

ſchools ſhe diſapproved, and as ſhe could not
give them the advantages ſhe had received

| herſelf, under the care of the accompliſhed
and amiable Mrs. T--m--n, reſolved, with
the aſſiſtance of the beſt maſters, to educate
them under her own eye, and as nearly as
poſſible on the ſame principles with her own
excellent governeſs. By theſe means the
ſtudies, which other children dread as dii-
agreeable dull raſks, were by the Miſs Mont-
gomerys purſued with cheerfulneſs, and wel-
comed as a pleaſing relief to others; their
reading was directed to the moſt improving
and entertaining parts of modern and ancient
hiſtory, their writing not confined to the
mechanical copies of © learning 1s uſeful, em-
prove while young, &c. &c. but their own
ideas were ſuffered to expand, and by mak-
ing their own artleſs remarks, gave an eaſe
and freedom to theirſtile, which noother mode
could teach, geography, conſidered by too
many young ladies a very dry ſtudy, was to
them rendered pleaſing, a piece of ground and
water were appropriated to practical improve-
ments,

MADELINE. 51

ments, which no theory could diſplay ſo
clearly; Madeline was naturally fond of draw-
ing, and Ellen had much taſte in her deſigns,
but ſo extremely volatile, that nothing but
hearing her ſiſter praiſed for ornamenting her

mother's dreſſing room with landſcapes, from

the different perſpectives around the Caſtle,
could have attached her to the pencil for more
than a moment: Muſic was the delight of
both, and their ſlender figures were charm-
ingly adapted to ſhine in the dance; French
and Italian were ſpoken in common with
Engliſh, and thus the lovely ſiſters received
all the refinements of education, without imbi-
bing thoſe fatal errors acquired at modern
boarding ſchools, which too often throw a
ſhade over the faireſt characters, and unami-
ably influence the conduct through lite.

They were early taught to value honor,
however humble the poſſeſſor, to deſpiſe the
refinement that fled from the voice of miſery,
and to beſtow the tear of compaſſion on the
erring and unfortunate, to conceal their weak -

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neſs, ſoften dt anguiſh, and if poſſible to
turn their wandering ſteps to the paths of
peace and virtue.—< That merit is at a low
ebb, my dear children,” Mrs. Montgomery
would fay, that borrows luſtre from the con-
traſt of another's feelings; many have been
betrayed, and fallen from honor, though not
from virtue, and who if they had found a com-
paſſionating heart, or generous hand to raiſe
their humbled heads, after the firſt fatal flip,
might have lived monuments of mercy, bleſſed
their preſervers, and have guarded the weak
and unwarry by their own experience, inſtead
of which after being deſerted by their baſe
betrayers, ſpurned by remorſeleſs parents and
driven from ſociety like lepers; with the
weight of paternal malediction on their hearts,
and deſtitute of daily bread, whither can the
forlorn beings fly for refuge to expiate their
guilt and hide their ſhame ? no virtuous roof
will ſhelter them, no friend receive them;
to drown reflection they plunge in diſſipation,
ſink in deeper guilt and devoted deſtruction,
cloſe the ſcene of life in horrors we cannot

imagine,

MADELINE. 53

imagine. Ah my children! give the ſigh of
pity to their fate, and while ye pray a merci-
ful God to preſerve your own innocence
through an enſnaring world, learn to diſcri-
minate ſeduced virtue from artful vice, pro-
te& the one, ever ſhun the other.” By ſuch
converſations in their maturer years, and in
all the different duties of life, giving their
minds the faireſt example, in her own con-
duct, ſhe hoped to make them amiable, hu-
mane and happy.

After having been a few weeks at the
Caſtle, one ſerene evening going to walk with
her daughters, in paſting a remote tower in
an interior part of the building, they obſerv ·
ed old Giles the bailiſf walk with great quick-
neſs paſt a particular entrance, which ſo en-
gaged the curioſity of his lady, that ſhe
enquired the reaſon; nothing your ladyſhip,
rephed he, but the viſible tremor with
which he ſpoke, plainly demonſtrated there
was ſomething, When ſhe reached the
ſpot he had- ſkipped by ſo nimbly, her
D 3 atten-

54 MADELINE.

attention was attracted by a large iron door,
with great heavy bars acroſs it; © to what part
of the Caſtle opens this Giles?“ inquired ſhe,
ſaving your ladyſhip's preſence replied he with
terror, to the haunted ſquare; what ſimplicity !
ſmiling, open the door, —oh dear! dear! cried
he, good, your ladyſhip, let Parſon Alworthy
enter firſt, for indeed ſome of their old honors
ghoſts run their rigs there, to guard the trea-
{ures they hid, — good then let him enter, he
can ſpeak, and belike lay them in the red-
ſca; and then it is a woundy pretty ſquare,
I remember it when I was a boy, © ceaſe thy
folly my good old man, I inſiſt on the door
being opened, and continued ſhe imiling, «1
will venture to exorciſe the place, or to ſpeak
plainer, I will lay their honors myſelf,” my
deareſt mamma,” cried Madeline, graſping
her arm, and her face pale as death, * do, do
Tet us quit the place, indeed Mr. Alworthy
had better go in firſt, there may be truth in
what Giles has mentioned, for heaven's fake
retire, I am ready to die with terror.” “ Ma-
deline,” replied her mother with an air of gra-

vity,

MADELINE. 55

vity, do you ſuppoſe me ſo weak as to re-
turn without doing, what I came on purpoſe
to do ? if you feel your confidence in heaven
ſo poor, and your weakneſs ſo exceſſive, yield
to your folly, retire, you have permiſſion.

Poor Madeline was now ſo overwhelmed
with ſhame and confuſion, that her fear was
forgotten, like the dueliſt, who takes the field
drowning one paſſion in the fury of another,
a little recovering her complexion and cou-
rage; ſhe begged to attend her mother;
the lively Ellen wondered that her ſiſter could
be afraid; for ſhe wiſhed for nothing ſo much
as to ſee a ghoſt, if it would come like the
one ſhe ſaw at the play,—the terrible word
had nearly revived Madeline's horrors, when
Giles having knocked off two bars, had near-
ly effected the other, but to do it with moxe
eaſe, the door being looſe on the hinges,
preſſed in his ſhoulder and head to force it,
but ſtarting back with violence, had nearly
overturned his lady, who ſtood behind him;
now Chriſt, Chriſt and his preſence guide

D 4 us!

56 MADELINE.

us! cried the affrighted old man, I faw his
old honor, I knew him, capering about, I
knew him by his eyes, he comes in the ſhape
of the devil, (Lord preſerve us) to ly away
with the firſt that enters,

Madeline hung trembling on her mother's
arm, and even the courageous Ellen ſaid, this
ghoſt could not be ſo pretty as Hamlet's. '
The mind of Mrs. Montgomery was free
from every taint of ſuperſtition, with much
calmneſs ſhe ſaid ſhe had heard his old honor's
eyes were black, and if he would take the
trouble to look nearer, he would find thoſe he
had ſeen were a very fine blue, ah! Lord be
here, cried Giles, black or blue they ſhall
never glower with fic a ſaucer ſtare on old
Giles again, ſhe then preſſed through, the
door fell, and the trio in their fear darted after,
conceiving themſelves ſafer within than with-
out, unleſs ſhe was with them, Giles's ghoſt
now preſented itſelf to view in the form of—
an—overgrown white owl, tlie falling door
had fo diſturbed the community that the ſpec-

tre,

MADELINE. 57

tre, with a numerous aſſembly of bats, took
to immediate flight, leaving the territories for
the inſpection of the intruders. Giles now
felt a little of Madeline's diforder,—ſhame,
—and in ſome meaſure to atone for his
cowardice, boldly advanced through this ſtone
vaulted room toa narrow paſſage, which opened
on a regular built ſquare ; nettles and briars
covered almoſt an acre of ground, and grew
into the caſements of the little tenements; on
entering they found them not in the leaſt de-
cayed, except the lime and windows being
broken, they appeared to have been former-

ly apartments for inferior domeſtics belong-

ing to the Caſtle; oppoſite to the gate at
which they entered, another paſlage opened
to the woods, but not being able to uncloſe
an old heavy door they returned, and while
Ellen was picking wild flowers with Giles,
who did not much like converſing with Mrs.
Montgomery that evening, ſeated herſelf on
an old ſtone ciſtern, and appeared loft in
thought, till rouſed from her reverie by the
entrance of the Major, exclaiming, in the

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MADELINE,

name of every thing wonderful, where have
you all got to? what poſſeſſed you, added he,
laughing, to venture on diſturbing the manes
of my old anceſtors, who I am told will keep
forcible poſſeſſion here. I have driven one of
them, replied Mrs. Montgomery, in the ſhape
-of a white owl to the banks of the red ſea.”

She then related the adventure, only con-
cealing Madeline's weakneſs, for which the
expreſſive eyes of the grateful girl thank-
ed her. If we could turn this fame ſquare to
any uſe, cried the Major, we ſhould owe you
Giles ſomething for exorciſing it; pleaſe your
honor, replied he, without comprehending
what had been faid, do you deem it totally
uſeleſs ? Said Mrs. Montgomery, totally, I
think not,. — indeed! to what would you con-
vert it? with little expence, as the building is
in tolerable repair, continued the benevolent
woman, it might be made habitable, and a
comfortable aſylum for the old and infirm of
our tenants; and why not, interrupted the
Major, the generous idea heightening the

colour

MADELINE. 59

colour in his cheeks, © why not for the orphan
and ignorant alſo ? this piece of ground may
be made a good kitchen garden, and give an
air of neatneſs to the ſquare ; the old men may
cultivate it, the women ſpin and knit, and we
may appoint one better learned than the reſt,
to inſtruct the children of the reduced, who
ſhall have a ſchool room here ; the little plan
may fave many from ignorance and ruin.“ It
is charming,” cried the amiable wife, we
| ſhall ſoon raiſe a ſufficient ſum, Mr. Alworthy
will preach a charity ſermon, and be grand
Almoner, you ſhall be treaſurer ; Madeline
and Ellen the firſt ſubſcribers, and I will be
the patroneſs.

The plan is excellent, cried the Major,
and we will commence to-morrow; the girls
were delighted, and old Giles faid he would
beg hard for twogrand-daughters being taught
to read, for he was now right ſure his old
honor would never come back to diſturb ſuch
a huge good work. Next morning the Ma-
jor held open a large green purſe, in which he
D 6 dropped

60 MADELINE.

dropped tenguineas, Mrs. Montgomery depo-
ſited the ſame ſum, nor was the humane Al-
worthy leſs liberal, who had been ſent for to
conſult on the occaſion. Madeline threw in
her guinea, and Ellen all the ſilver ſhe poſſeſſed,

but exultingly declared ſhe would write to

her aunt, who, ſhe was ſure, would give her
gold to ſubſcribe, and then added the charm-
ing child, © I may put in ſome little girl;”
that thou ſhalt my darling, cried her father,
and until thy aunt's bounty arrives, put in this
guinea.

The young ladies were employed in net-
ting green ſilk purſes to carry about them,
ſo that their winnings at the ſocial card table,
the friendly foricit, or any caſual ſubſcription
could be ſct apart, till the firſt day of every
month, when the contents ſhould be depoſi-
ted in the treaſury and the accounts balanced.
At the end of three months Montgomery:

_ aſylum was ready for the reception of twelve

old men, and an equal number of wo-
men; a miſtreſs was appointed to the ſchool,
where

MADELINE. 61

where the children were taught, every branch
of neceſſary education, becoming their hum-
ble ſtate, the aſylum was ſoon occupied, and
the ſchool had upwards of thirty pupils; they
were cloathed once a year, and occaſionally
rewarded with preſents to encourage merit,
and promote emulation. The eſtabliſhment
was much approved and ſupported by the
neighbourhood, Ellen's artlefs letter to her
aunt, procured a purſe ſhe had made of fifty
pounds; many a fatisfied hour did Mrs.
Montgomery paſs in the ſchool, and in their
endearing dependence, their, improvement
and grateful ſmiles received the ſweeteſt re-
ward. May the example be imitated by the
great and afluent! it will afford an unfading
ſatisfaction, when the vanities and pleaſures
of an unthinking world will be of no conſi-
deration, Leaving the happy family, in the
purſuit of their benevolence, let us intro-
duce ſome neighbours, who will make a diſ-
tinguiſhed figure in theſe memoirs.

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62 MADELINE,

CHAP. IV.

HE reader may remember how much
Major Montgomery was indebted to

Sir Joſeph Cleveland in the early part of
life; let him then conceive the pleaſure he
felt, on learning his friend owned a magnifi-
cent ſeat, only five miles from the Caſtle, and
that with his lady and family, he ſpent at
leaſt the three ſummer months in the north.
By one of thoſe unaccountable turns which
frequently occur in human life, Sir Joſeph
had become the huſband of Miſs Howard,
the lady deſtined by her parents forthe Major.
The Baronet with the aſſiſtance of women and
| race

MADELINE. 63

race horſes, by the age of twenty ſeven, had
reduced his patrimonial fortune to a very nar-
row compaſs; Miſs Howard had paſt the me-
ridian of beauty, and her father leaving her
ſole directreſs of herſelf and poſſeſſions, ſhe
thought they could not be better beſtowed
than on a gay young Baronet. In her right
he poſſeſſed the valuable eſtate of Howard
Place, the above mentioned diſtance from
Montgomery Caſtle. Sir Joſeph heard with
real pleaſure, that his friend had ſettled at the
Caſtle; he and Lady Cleveland were a faſhion-
able pair, in public, their days paſſed in a
continued whirl of expenſive diſſipation, re-
tirement in ennui; neither had ſenſibility to
be happy, nor ſentiment to be wretched, theirs
was the middle ſtate —inſipidity.

The offspring of the marriage were three
daughters, Miſs Cleveland was a faſhionable
girl, and a finiſhed coquet; Miſs Charlotte fair
and delicate, and thinking an air of languor
and indiſpoſition gave irreſiſtible charms, and

conveyed an idea of fine feelings, was never
well;

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64 MADELINE.

well; Frances, the youngeſt, was lovely, gen-
tle and obliging, yet no favorite with her
mother. Sir Joſeph had a ſon before his
marriage, by a young woman who died in
giving him birth; if the Baronet ever loved,
it was the mother of this boy, and Lady
Cleveland bringing no male heir, his fond-
neſs for his ſon increaſed ; what would have
been a virtue in another wife, gave no eclat
to the character of her Ladyſhip. She ſuffer-
ed the youth to be bred in the family, and he
was as free with the young ladies as if the
child of their mother ; indeed 1t was only by
thoſe very intimately acquainted, that he was
not conſidered the legitimate heir of his father,

He had a tolereble perſon, with an immo-
derate quantity of aſſurance, his paſſions were
violent, and had never been reſtrained, his
manners diſſipated, and his boundleſs extrava-
gance never receiving any. check from his
father, encouraged thoſe follies which lead
to vice, and end in deſtruction. Sir Joſeph
and the Major foon renewed their ancient
friendſhip; the families were on eaſy terms,

but

MADELINE. 65

but the difference of ſentiments in the Ladies
admitted not intimacy, the two eldeſt daugh-
ters of the Baronet were faſt approaching to
women, when the Major ſettled at the Caſtle.
Miſs Fanny was nearly the age of Madeline,
and was never ſo pleaſed as when allowed to
paſs a few days with her. In a beautiful val-
ley, little more than a mile from the Caſtle of
Montgomery, roſe the modeſt manſion of
Joſiah Primroſe, one of the people common-
ly called Quakers, the exact regularity of the
building, the order and neatneſs of the grounds
were perfect emblems of the quiet ſpirits which
reigned within. The father of Mr. Primroſe
left Pennſylvania with an immenſe fortune,
when his ſon was ininfancy and fixed his abode
in this ſpot. He was educated in the moſt
rigid manner; thoſe finer feelings of the
heart, which from ſome traits in his character
might have done honor to humanity, if ſuffer-
ed to expand, were contracted by bigotry,
and chilled by ſuperſtition. He married him
at an early age to one of his own perſuaſion,
and ſoon after, paid the debt of nature; be-
queathing

66 MADELINE.

queathing him his whole immenſe poſſeſſions,
without one generous paſſion to gratify.

The fair friend whom he had made the
wife of his boſom, had a ſuperior mind and
more elevated ſentiments, “ thinkeſt thee,
friend Primroſe, ſhe would fay, with rather an
arch look, that thy broad brimmed hat, or
the little pinched cap of thy Miriam, will lead
her or thee one ſtep ncarer heaven !” © veri-
ly, verily I tell thee no, and that our com-
munity regard too much the outſide of the
platter, but conſider not the foulneſs that
lieth hid within.” She was the mother of two

| amiable children, and as their father left them

ſolely to her guidance, without any other con-
cern than ſeeing them ſtrict in their religious
duties, they received rather a liberal educa-
tion. Miriam Primroſe to a lovely figure
united the ſweeteſt diſpoſition, and the gen-
tleſt manners; at the Caſtle ſhe was adored,
and ſhared the leſſons of wiſdom from the in-
ſtructive lips of Mrs. Montgomery; her free
acceſs to ſuch an elegant ſociety, improved
thoſe

MADELINE. 67
thoſe talents with which nature had bleſſed

her, and gave her a vivacity, which temper-
ed by her innate ſoftneſs, rendered her truly
pleaſing ; ſhe was diſtinguiſhed wherever ſhe
appeared, by the appellation of the accom-
pliſhed Quaker ; yet ſo modeſt was her de-
meanor, and ſo ſtrict her piety, that even the
moſt ſevere of her own people approved her
conduct. Vanity is inherent to the female
heart, Miriam's intimacy with the ladies of
Montgomery gave her a pleaſure in dreſs, her
mother eaſily allowed, and it was not uncom-
mon to ſee her white frock decorated with a
broad faſh, her ſtraw hat tied with ribbon,
and her flaxen hair in ringlets, theſe little in-
fringements procured friend Primroſe the title
of © the gay ſiſter; perhaps ſhe was not al-
together undeſerving of it, for ſhe would look
with pleaſure at her daughter, joining the
ladies at the Caſtle in the lively dance, this
indeed was unknown, and frequently the good
woman would ſay, with an inquiring eye,
e ſurly, ſurly friend Montgomery this muſt
be innocent, elſe thee wouldſt not permit it

in

68 _ MADELINE. -

in thy preſence,” are we not told, ſhe would
reply, my dear friend, that an innocent cheer-
fulneſs 1s pleaſing to heaven, and that they are
not true promoters of religion, who paint her
in gloomy colours? by ſuch ſoftening anſwers
Mrs. Montgomery was ſure to procure her
favorite, a participation of all the little amuſe-
ments at the Caſtle,

Joſtah Primroſe, the brother of Miriam,
_ poſſeſſed all thoſe virtues that gave dignity to
human nature, the moſt unaffected piety with-
out bigotry, juſtice without ſeverity, and
mercy without weakneſs. Though compel-
led by a ſtrict father to follow the tenets, of
a perſuaſion whoſe principles are good, but
clouded with many errors, his philanthropy
was unbounded, and he conſidered himſelf as
a member of one vaſt body, whoſe charity
ſhould be diſtributed to all in diſtreſs, with-
out confining it to one ſet of people, merely
becauſe they happened to be of the ſame re-
ligious opinions: His underſtanding was good,
and highly improved; when he wiſhed to en-

7

MADELINE. 69

Joy ſuperior ſatisfactions, he went tothe Caſtle,
there he found the pureſt benevolence, the
moſt exalted friendſhip, and all the refine-
ments of ſenſe; he beheld the Major, as a
man to form the heart by, Mrs. Montgo-
mery he conſidered the moſt excellent of her
kind, Ellen's vivacity gave him pleaſure,
the ſenſibility of Madeline ſomething more;
her affection and his ſiſter's ſtrenghtened
with their years, their ſentiments were con-
genial, and they were the deareſt friends,

' Theſe three families had mutually inter-
changed the viſits of ceremony, at the period
Montgomery aſylum was finiſhed, and the
Major with his family being the projectors,
they waited on them to ſolicit their contribu-
tions. The plan deſcribed, Sir Joſeph with
that indifference he ever felt for money, ſwore
it was a good thing and threw down his ten
guineas; his Lady declared, ſhe could not
poſſibly refuſe her. contribution, as Mrs.
Montgomery promoted and ſo warmly in-
tereſted herſelf in the matter; it was well

enough

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— — —

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— — —

— — — > —— — _ 0 — —
— —

—_— —

7⁰ MADELINE,

enough to give the old wretches a roof, but,
for her part ſhe never knew any good come
of drawing the poor from their native igno-
rance, thought it the beſt property a ſervant
could have, and certainly if the lower ranks
were enlightened all diſtinction muſt ſoon be
loſt, Mrs. Montgomery replied, the in-
ſtruction ſhe intended to be given, would ra-
ther teach the lower claſs their duty ; ſhe con-
ſidered ignorance, and indeed it was, the ori-
gin of vice, adding, © many deſpairing cri-
minals on the ſcaffold, have deplored it as the
cauſe of their crimes, and ignominious death ;
and the female world would not diſgrace our
ſtreets in ſo ſhameful a manner, but that vani-
ty acting on an ignorant mind, deſtitute of
one virtuous or religious principle, receives
thoſe fatal impreſſions which lead to infamy
and ruin, therefore I think it the duty of every
chriſtian, to promote piety, virtue and humi-
lity, to the utmoſt of their power.”

Lady Cleveland offered five guineas, Mrs.
Montgomery politely declined it, ſaying it
would

6

MADELINE. 71

would be unpardonable to accept her Lady-
ſhip's contribution, for what ſhe diſapproved;
—« nay, my dear Madam,—luch a trifle, —
poſitively if it is refuſed, I ſhall think you of-
fended.” Mamſelle Pat, cried Mr. Cleve-
land, to his eldeſt filter, how beats your pulſe ?
charitably ? Joſeph you are extremely rude,
to aſk ſuch a queſtion, when you know Lady
Cleveland, has refuſed to lend me a few pieces
to pay for my new faux montre ; laughing
at her vexation, he threw down a guinea, and
attacked poor Charlotte; none ſiſter, cried
the tormentor, ſhould be more buſily em-
ployed in the works of ſupererogation, than
you who are ſo near the gloomy territories,”
holding the eau de luce to her noſe, © come
who knews but one piece may bribe Peter
the Porter to open the gate.” Ah you robuſt
being, anſwered the almoſt fainting beauty,
ce they jeſt at ſcars, who never felt a wound,” _
Madam can this mite be acceptable? giving
Madeline a guinea, to hand her mother, cer-
tainly Miſs Charlotte. Fanny then ran to her
ſaying, ſhe would give all the money ſhe had,
which

—

72 MADELINE.

which was four ſhillings, if ſhe would prevail
on her mamma, to let her return with Miſs
Montgomery, for that ſhe was quite delight-

_ ed with her account of the ſchool, a negative

was put to the requeſt, Fanny ſighed and giv-
ing the ſilver, ſaid with the moſt intereſting
naivete, why ſhould the poor people ſuffer
for my ſtaying at home, do take it Madam !
ſeeing Mrs. Montgomery did not hold out the
purſe, indeed ſhe was admiring a trait, which
the child inherited from none of her family,
and claſping her round the neck, I will my
charming feeling girl, and do me alſo the
plefſure to wear this ring, taking a ſmall dia-
mond from her finger, in remembrance of
one, who will ever love you for your good-
ne ſs; little more paſſed, they ſoon took leave,
and ordered the coach to the Quaker's. —
« Was there ever ſuch a ridiculous whim
thought on, exclaimed Lady Cleveland, as the

door cloſed on her viſitors ? can't the woman

be contented, . with turning half her own old
ruins into an hoſpital, without taxing people
of faſhion, who have a thouſand ways of

ſpend-

5

ſpending money, that ſhe has not ſpirit even
to imagine!“ I am ſure faid Miſs, Sir Joſeph
had better given me ten guineas, for I loſt
every bet laſt night ; © aye, Sir Joſeph, adds
his Lady you was certainly wrong, but, in-
deed ſhe faſtened on us in ſuch a manner! was
ſhe ever pretty? looking kindly on him;
« was ſhe? returned the Baronet, without
heeding her glance, you may judge what ſhe
has been, by what ſhe ſtill 1s ;”—the eldeſt
girl promiſes amazing lovelineſs, faid Mr.
Cleveland; the verieſt dowdy I cver beheld,
replied Miſs, the other has ſome animation,
ifpiety and VARTUE, don't deprive her of it
before ſhe is fifteen. Oh, faith, 'Pat, inter-
rupted her brother, you would give all the
coſmetics on your toilet, for one ſhade of her
complexion ; ** impertinent ! faid ſhe, dif-

dainfully.

We ſhall now leave this family of n, and
attend thoſe I truſt my readers, will deem
more worthy of notice. Without any parade
the Major and his family, were conducted in-
VOL, 1, E to

74 MADELINE.

to the parlour of Mr. Primroſe ; they found
his wife ſeated at work, in a viranda adjoin-
ing the room; the quiet ſmile which beamed
on her mild countenance, diſplayed the ſere-
nity that dwelt within, the gentle Miriam
ſtood'by her, copying with her pencil a branch
of roſes which lay on a table before her, thee
haſt pleaſed me much, friend Montgomery,
ſaid Mrs. Primroſe, by this unceremonious
viſit; verily as I love thee, I feared, that
which thy gay people call politeneſs, would
not have permitted friendly intercourſe, but
gladly I find thee art above 1t;” indeed,
my dear Madam, replied Mrs. Montgomery,
true politeneſs, though much talked of, is
little underſtood, I believe it congenial to de-
licate minds, excludes formality, and conſiſts
in an eaſy attention to the wiſhes of others,
without being troubleſome, it 1s equally re-
mote from ceremony and low familiarity.

j
| cc Thee haſt well defined it friend, and to

practiſe it, throw thy cloak aſide, I pray thee,
Jet the horſes return, and ſhare a dinner to
| which thee and thine art heartily welcome,

| my

MADELINE, 75

eny Joſiah walketh with his ſon, but will not
tarry long.“

The invitation was accepted, the Quaker
ſoon joined them, and Mrs. Montgomery
opened the plan, ſhe ſo warmly patrynized ;
my hopes are ſanguine, added ſhe of your
aſſiſtance, becauſe I believe you charitabl-
and humane; © thee art, interrupted Mrs.
Primroſe with energy, a faithful ſervant to thv
God, and he who marked and applauded the

widow's mite, will recompenſe thee in the

hour of retribution ; and thinkeſt thee, faid
the Quaker, that I ot to aid thine under-
taking? verily friend, thee knoweſt that the
poor of our people trouble not thee nor thine,
and I tell thee, moreover, it is not meet to take
the children's bread and caſt it to the dogs;
dear fir, replied the Major, are we not all the
children of one great parent? equally the ob-
jects of his care? © true neighbour, but all
his ſtewards do not equally, their duty; canſt
thee ſay, thine eyes ever beheld, one in our
ſimple habit hang on thy door for food ? were

— E 2 thine

*
ä
1
ö
|

76 MADELINE.

thine ears ever aſſailed, with their whine for
charity? When the poor unfortunate crave
our aſſiſtance, we ſeldom inquire their faith,
nor can we aſſert that one of your perſuaſion
never begged for alms, for how Mr. Primroſe
could the neatneſs of your modeſt attire, be
diſcerned through the rags of poverty and
wretchedneſs ? the argument was now in that
poſition, that the friend could extend it no
farther to his own ſatisfaction, fo without an-
| ſwering the queſtion, he ſimply ſaid, * and
what wouldſt thee that I ſhould do for thy
poor? if I ſupport thy deſign, may I ſometimes
recommend a harmleſs friend?” My dear ſir,
replied the Major, whether it may ſuit your
ideas of propriety or not to aſſiſt it, who ever
you recommend, ſo far as the little fund will
admit, ſhall be received, even were it an in-
fidel, we would try to convert him; “1
know not friend, interrupted the Quaker with
quickneſs, if thee art right there, —but verily,
verily, friend Montgomery, thee haſt fo far
conquered, that while thine aſylum ſtands, it
Mall know a ſupporter in Joſiah Primroſe ;
thee

MADELINE. 77
thee approveſt it Miriam?“ addreſſing his
wife, I do, anſwered ſhe, and with more

ſolemn ſincerity than many a modern religi-

ous would hold up the hand over the facred
page.

The ſubject then dropped, andthe remain-
der of the day was paſſed in that innocent
cheerfulneſs, which ought ever todiſtinguiſh a
chriſtian ſociety ; the young people appeared
all the children of one family, the modeſt at-
tention of Joſiah, was equally pleaſing to the
gentleneſs of Miriam, and the vanity of Ellen ;.
Madeline he beheld as ſomething ſuperior to
any thing he had ever conceived, and by be-
ing more anxious, became leſs able to pleaſe,
yet ſhe accepted all his attentions with a ſweet-
neſs natural to her; in preſenting her the fineſt
fruit and flowers, he did it with ſuch a timi-
dity, that ſhe ſometimes ſmiled, but was in-,
clined to weep, when ſhe perceived that ſmile
gave him a painful confuſion.

In a ſtate of the moſt uninterrupted peace,
&veral years flipped inſenſibly away at the

E 3 Caſtle,

a> MADELEINE:

Caſtle, and brought the improving charms of
the amiable Madeline almoſt to perfection;

the ſofteſt luſtre irradiated her whole figure,

a figure that could only be excelled by the
mind which gave it animation. Miriam and
ſhe were inſeparable, the ſame rectitude of
heart, the fame meekneſs of temper, and ſi-
milarity of ſentiment actuated both: the vir-
tues cheriſhed by the one, were admired and
imitated by the other, and unaffected modeſty
heightened the whole. The beauty of Ellen,
was ſtil more dazzling than her ſiſter's; her
turn of mind and manner, was infinitely more

gay, and her ſprightly air was tempered with

a majeſtic fweetnefs ; in ſhort, the ſiſters could
not be better defcribed, than by a little anec-
dote recited by their aunt, Mrs. Fortefque,—
an honeft tar being aſked his opinion, of the

celebrated Ducheſs of H n, and Coun-

teſs of C, rephed, the beauty of the one,
ſays, pray love me, the other, you ſhall love
m .* -

Few

MADELINE. 79

Few, I believe, ever paſſed a life of ſuch
ſerene happineſs, as the Major and his beloved
partner, a happineſs, which the riſing virtues
of their daughters were daily increaſing. They
lived on what is called friendly terms with the
Cleveland family, and indeed the Major had
been unuſually intimate with the Baronet, fre-
quently ſpending whole mornings at Howard
Place ; a congenial ſentiment attached them
tothe Primroſe family, while enlivened eſteem
and unlimited confidence cemented them in
the firmeſt bands of friendſhip. Frances Cle-
veland was much beloved by Mrs. Montgo-
mery and her daughters; and being treated
with unkindnefs at home, frequently paſſed
weeks at the Caſtle, always finding the wel-
come of maternal regard'; the paternal man--
ſion had few claims on her feelings, and when
ſhe drew a compariſon, her heart inclined to
pay Mrs. Montgomery affectionate reſpect,
and her daughters, the ſincereſt love, home had
duty alone. Madeline hadattained her ſeven-
teenth year, and winter had thrown a dreary
gloom. over every vernal ſcene, the heavy

E 4 rains

80 WADELTNE.

rains precluded the morning ramble, and the
evening walk. The Cleveland's haſtened to
town to loſe the ennui of the ſtupid coun-
try, in diſſipation, but the more rational inha-
bitants of the Caſtle, and the valley, beguil-
ed the heavy ſeaſon by the pleaſures of ſocial
friendſhip, and enlivened converſe with each
other around the comfortable fire-ſide ; while
the nicer feelings were gratified by domeſtic
endearments, and the gentle offices of hu-
manity.

Returning ſummer brought the Baronet's
family, to the wonder of the country, two
months earlier than uſual, to Howard Place;
their firſt viſit being generally to the Caſtle;
now diſcovered to the admiring eyes of ſome;
and the envious gaze of others, Madeline and
her ſiſter, in all the pride of beauty, improved
by a refined education, Fanny flew with de-
light and embraced Mrs. Montgomery and
her daughters, while her eldeſt ſiſter, with a
contemptuous ſneer, aſked if ſhe thought ſuch
xuſticity either becoming or pleaſing ? as to
becoming

MADELINE

becoming retorted ſhe, with ſome ſpirit, I have
not conſidered; that it is pleaſing, my own feel-
ings convince me. They ſoon took leave,
and were no ſooner ſeated in the coach than
Sir Joſeph obſerved the girls were grown
d—d handſome, © Lord how can you think

fo, anſwered his Lady, the eldeſt is the moſt
inanimate piece of ſtill life Jever ſaw, not an

air of faſhion about her; as for Ellen, the veri-
eſt hoiden that ever diſgraced the name of

gentlewoman ; how juſtly you deſcribe them,

my dear Madam, cried Miſs ; you would

bluſh Martha, interrupted her father, through

your rouge, to introduce herat Lady Racket's
aſſembly ; it would be the bluſh of envy then;
cried her brother; oh! by my conſcience, re-
plied ſhe, Joſeph is in love, prithee make
haſte, either will be at your devotion.“ Leav-

mg them to purſue their altercation, we ſhall.

cloſe the chapter.

*
-

=: MWADELINE.

CHAP. V.

L117] HEN the faſhionable family left the

VVV Caftle, Mrs. Montgomery remarked
with a ſigh, that her ſweet Fanny had loſt

the bloom of health, and that vivacity ſhe

carried to town; adding, a languor was dif-

fuſed over her pretty features, which made
her fear all was not quiet within, a tear gliſten-
ed in Madeline's eye, in anſwering; ſhe had
made the ſame obſervation, and would pay
her an early viſit, to learn the cauſe, and if
poſſible leſſen it by participation. My dear
creature, cried Ellen, can you wonder at her,

| want

MADELINE: a5

want of ſpirits, when you ſee how ſhe is tor-
mented with thoſe ſplenetic cats? Company
entering, the converſation cloſed, nor could:
it be renewed during the day.
It had been a cuſtom at the Caſtle, to cele-
brate the wedding day of the Major, with
every mark of innocent feſtivity, the girls now
petitioned for a play, inſtead of the uſual ball,
on the enſuing jubilee, © we can accompliſh.
it with the greateſt eaſe,” cried Ellen, © there:
is much company at Howard Place, who can:
repreſent the characters, no negative dear,
dear Papa, kiſſing him—all is fettled, —Ma-
deline is as anxious as myſelf, the play the
Provoked Huſband, —Madeline, Lady Grace
Frances, Miſs Jenny, — Lady W ronghead,
Miſs Cleveland, Lady Townly, your mad
Ellen,—all is arranged, —only want your con-
ſent, I have Mamma's.—Ellen ! “ dear Ma-
dam, your eyes gave it, they glanced at the
great hall, thou art a mad-cap Ellen, re-
plied the Major, but on THaT day, looking
tenderly on his wife, I can deny nothing, © We
7 E 6 Were

84 MAD ELIN E.

were ſo ſure of it Papa, cried the mad- cap,

that we have our parts already; nay the anti-
quated features of Martha Cleveland wore a
ſmile; ſhe chaſe her character, doated on:
theatricals, they were quite the ton; all

ſhall be arranged with propriety, Madeline,

added ſhe, you have to prevail on Mrs. Prim
roſe and Miriam to attend; the good friend
would expect ſatan in terrific form, where he-
to indulge; as for thy virtuous Joſiah ! where
thee art, fair, Madeline ! there will thy Joſiah.

be alſo. - 6}

=
,

They ſoon repaired to invite the friends of,
the valley, Mrs, Primroſe and Miriam were.
alone, —E len began, I come dear friend,
to tempt thee; to do what Ellen? to- to,.
Madeline ſpeak, for her cap is ſo unuſually:
punched a la puritane this morning, — that I
read frowns,—motions of the ſpirit, —and re-
fuſals in every crimp ; Ellen, Ellen thee art,
too flippant,—friend, friend thee art too for-
mal.” Madeline, then preſented her mother's,
invitation to the play,—the colour roſe in the
check.

MA D'E L IN F. $5

cheek of Mrs. Primroſe, ſhe heſitated, —and;
at length faid, © tell thy mother, I fear it
muſt not be. I think it notwrong,—but friend-
Primroſe would never conſent, and conceal-
ment would make it a crime in me, —her
fon entered; Joſiah, what ſayeſt thee ? the ruby
lips of Madeline, again repeated the requeſt, —-
Joſiah modeſtly replied, “ reaſon, my mother,
informeth the human heart, that an innocent
amuſement in itſelf, cannot be reprehenſible,
— but ſelf denial being partly the baſe of our.
religion, it would ill become the ſtrictneſs of.
a puritan to yield to the propenſity of plea-.
ſure.” Well, interrupted Madeline, ſince rea-
ſon diſapproves not, and morality could re-
ceive no injury from the indulgence, do you

think Joſiah, that. blindly to be led, to ſub-.

mit to rules laid down by. thoſe who have no

more right to impoſe them, than I have to

add or take from the decalogue, indicates.

| ſenſe? or does it promote piety ? truſt me,
there are many whoadmire ſome: parts of your:
religion, who ſhudder at its ſevere particulari-
ges; Ye veil it. with gloom and ſuperſtition, |
, the

* MADELINE

the primitive chriſtians, nay even the patri-
arches themſelves, celebrated their feſtivals.
with dancing, feaſting and mirth ; * dear
Madeline, cried Ellen, tired of the grave
ſubject, and have not the friends their love.
feaſts, and their holy kiſſes, and thei
ſtop, ſtop, thy tongue, interrupted Mrs.
' Primroſe, thee haſt broke an argument by
which I wiſhed to profit; even had thy rea-
fon been convinced, reſumed Joſiah, thee
hadit ſtill been undeci:led, for without leave
from thy people, thee nor thine cannot in-
dulge the wiſh. © Alas! thought the meek.
Miriam how ſevere a ſtricture on our ſe& !
who gave them power to dictate right and.
wrong,—to mark the boundary of conſcience ?
Mr. Primroſe paſſed the virando, you have
ſucceeded ſo ill Madeline, cried Ellen, that.
J will attack this one myſelf; friend continued
ſhe, wilt thou permit the wife of thy boſom,
the daughter of thy love, the ſon of thy hope
and thine own formality. at their head, to be
preſen at an innocent repreſentation, per-
formed in honor of love, yea, even the holy.
| love

MADELINE. 3

be of my father and my mother's wedding
day? child of vanity avaunt-! cried the Qua-
ker, avaunt with thy temptation!—Avaunt !
muttered Ellen, rather indignantly ; the ſenſi-
ble Madeline fearing contention, mildly aſked
if he could conſent to oblige them,—child of
vanity, cried the Quaker, I tell thee no,.
tempt not I pray thee any more the weakneſs
of theſe daughters of error; pointing to his
wife and Miriam, too far have they already-
wandered in the maze of folly.” Joſiah in
filence fixed his eyes on Madeline, while ſhe
replied to his father, with a look of pity for
his erring judgment, I will ſay no more, fir,
though convinced how harmleſs the enter-
tainment, how innocent my requeſt; I wilt
ſay no more,—1n you, in your family, compli-
ance would be reprehenſible, becauſe ye think
it wrong, would I had not aſked, added ſhe,

a refuſal for that day is ſo unuſual, that it gives

me a ſenſation I cannot define,—'tis painful,

would I had not aſked !—Madeline ! Made-

line! ſaid the Quaker, graſping her hand with

a look ſhe could in no way explain, Made-

line,

$8 MADELINE,

line, daughter of goodneſs, what could tempt:
thee to renounce thy vanities; that, fir, an-
ſwered ſhe with firmneſs, which could tempt
theetorenounce thy particularities. He drop--
ped her hand, and was about to addreſs Joſiah,
when Mrs Primroſe prevented him, ſaying,
<« verily Joſiah, the ſpirit is willing, but the

fleſh is weak. To-morrow Madeline thy mo-

ther ſhall have an anſwer,_I will aſk. leave of,
my. people, for verily, my heart will be with
thee, though I tarry in this dwelling; Miriam
and Joſiah then attended them to the Caſtle,

Ellen drew aſide the young friend, to in-
dulge the acrimony of the moment, for her
father's refuſal; ſhe ſighed meekly,—-bat her
heart was too full to reply, —in the meantime,
filent and ſad, was the walk to Madeline, —-
heavy ſighs burſt from the heart of Joſiah, —
his eyes were full, and he appeared ſtruggl-
ing with concealed ſorrow. She wiſhed to;
inquire, to ſhare if ſhe could not ſoften it, but
his apparent agony ſo oppreſſed her, that an,

indiſcri

—

MADELINE, - 89

indiſcribable ſomething arreſted ſpeech, and
in ſilence they arrived at the Caſtle.

The unſucceſsful embaſſy, rather hurt
than ſurpriſed Mrs. Montgomery; ſhe loved.
the amiable Joſiah, and beheld his pale face
with real concern, but her knowledge of the
human heart led her to ſuppoſe, that his grief
was of that delicate, retiring nature which
would ſhun obſervation, and ſhe forbore re-
mark; pleading an engagement, he would not
ſtay, © thee canſt have none my brother, ſaid
Miriam tenderly, I pray the tarry here,” ſhe
ſtopped, for he had left them; in the agreeable
hurry of preparation, Ellen: forgot the Que-
ker's avaunt ! and Miriam in the careſſes of
beloved friends, her chagrin. Next morn-
ing a card from Mrs. Primroſe informed them,
that the community had returned a fern nega-
sive to her requeſt, and that Miriam was to
leave the Caſtle the evening preceding the
play. |

The

$9 MADELINE.

The indulgence of three days refidence at
Montgomery Caſtle, Miriam owed to the
kindneſs. of her brother, who wiſely judged.
his ſiſter's mind would be better compoſed by
the ſoft counſels of her friends, than the rigid
reproofs of a ſevere father. Something in the
dramatic arrangement having been forgot-
ten by Ellen, and Madeline anxious to fee
Fanny alone, after a charity ſermon in the
adjoining town, where the Major and family
were invited to dine, they requeſted the coach
to take them to Howard Place. Accompanied
by Miriam they ſet out; on reaching the
avenue which led to the houſe, they left the
carriage to enjoy the cool ſhade of tall oaks,
which formed a canopy over head and defied,
the ſun's moſt penetrating beams; while ſaun-
tering along, they obſerved a gentleman,
_ reading under the ſhade of a tree,—as the
ladies approached, he aroſe, and bowing with
eaſy politeneſs, begged to eſcort them to the
houſe ; during the walk, they learned he was
diſtantly related to Lady Cleveland, and then
her viſitor ; his figure was really intereſting,

and

MADELINE. gt

and the ladies were much pleaſed with his ad-
dreſs and engaging manners; the houſe was
full of company, yet they were obliged to ſtay
dinner. The coach drove back, and Miriam
knew not why, that for the firſt time in her
life, ſhe felt happy in being at Howard Place.

In Miſs Cleveland's drefling room, Ellen
vowed ſhe had loft her heart to a ſtranger
in the avenue; Lord, my dear, cried Miſs,
deſcribe him, for we have ſuch a crowd of
company !” he was in unitorm, a crape round.
his arm, Oh, interrupted ſhe tis that ſtupid
wretch, Glanville, his wife was drowned a-
broad, and though he cared not two-pence
about her, pretends to lament what he calls
her untimely fate.”

As this gentleman will often appear in very
intereſting circumſtances, it may be neceſ-
ſary to give a ſhort. ſketch of his hiſtory ;
Captain Adolphus Glanville, though deſcend-
ed from an ancient family, had -no fortune,
and his relations conceiving the army, the

‚ moſt

—
——
W

92 MADELINE.
moſt likely method t) be relieved from his
complaints (for he was an orphan) at the age
of ſixteen, gave him an enſigncy; he poſſeſ-
ſed ſtrict honor, amiable manners, and a fine
figure; he was univerſally beloved as a ſoldier,
and reſpected as a man of worth and inte-
ority. . |
* |

In country: quarters, a young lady of large-
independant fortune, ſaw and loved him;
Glanville was twenty-two, and, with an unen-
gaged heart, felt no reluctance in accepting
a young creature with fifteen thouſand pounds;
as Miſs Cleveland obſerved, he had never loved
her, but treated her with that tender compla-
cency, which might have well paſſed for love,
with a mind more ſenſible and refined than
Mrs. Glanville ever poſſeſſed; he was the
firſt fine fellow that had come in her way,
and no ſooner had ſhe eſcaped from the
watchful care of her guardians, and pre-
cincts of her native village, than ſhe gave
full play to diſſipation, and an inordinate
deſire for admiration. By every tender re-
monſtrance, her huſband ſtrove to reclaim
„„

MADELINE. 93

Her, but her nature was incorrigible, and when
The followed him to America, bluſhed not to

own, that his ſociety was her leaſt induce-
ment. |

A conduct fo indelicate, fo highly culpa-
ble, muſt have hurt a heart leſs nice than
Glanvilles, and by degrees he attained ſuch
a perfect indifference, that it was not until
the accident which deprived him of her, that
he felt the wife had hidden claims upon a
huſband's heart; he was attacked with a ſlight
fever, and as the mind is never ſo ſoftened as
when under the preſſure of calamity, with an
affectionate look he told her, he ſhould little
regret his illneſs, if it would procure him her
company one whole day; “ it will not be this,
replied ſhe coldly, for I am engaged with a
large party on the water, but if I were not,
I hope my fortune can afford to hire a nurſe,
at an expence leſs painful to me, than confine-
ment in a room, little better than an hoſpi-
tal; without attending to his anſwer, ſhe
left the apartment, never more to enter it;
| | the

94 MAD ELIN E.

the pleaſure boat was driven out to ſea, by a

ſudden ſquall, ſeveral bodies were caſt aſhore,
that of Mrs. Glanville, notwithſtanding the
ſtricteſt ſearch, was never found. Her huſ-
band mourned her fate with unaffected con-
cern, though his friends thought he had

much more cauſe to rejoice,

Peace was ſoon after concluded, he return-

ed to Britain, met Lady Cleveland, and his

fortune procured him an invitation to the
country; nor was ſhe without hopes he would

leave it her ſon-in-law ; but experience had

now taught him to be wary, and it was very
unlikely, that the Miſs Clevelands could at-
tach a heart like his; Fanny he treated with
the eaſy freedom of a brother, more he felt
not; the mild charms of Madeline, the glow-
ing beauties of Ellen, he beheld with admira-
tion, yet perfectly free from any warmer ſen-

.timent; but in the modeſt Quaker he was

Intereſted ; he viewed her native lovelineſs,
over which the hand of faſhion had thrown
no ornament, with the moſt guiltleſs delight,

in

MADELINE, 95

in deſcending to the dining parlour, he offer-
ed his hand, ſhe raiſed her eyes to thank him,
but finding his fixed on her with reſpectful
earneſtneſs, a bluſh of innate modeſty died
her face, which compleated her conqueſt,

Madeline in vain endeavoured, to ſeparate
Fanny from the company, even for a mo-
ment; but her obſervations during the
day convinced her, Mr. Herbert, a viſitor,
employed the thoughts of her friend, their
mutual glances were noticed, and ſhe reſolv-

ed to aik her home, and learn the truth of
what ſhe ſuſpected,

| Afffeera very late and ſplendid dinner, the
ladies and ſome few gentlemen retired to the
drawing room, when after a hurried cup of
coffee, two folding doors were thrown open,
and diſcovered the card room ſuperbly illumi-
nated, and eight tables courting the votaries
of fortune to her ſhrine. It was ſunday, a day
Miriam had often paſſed at the Caſtle, liſten-
ing to the voice of the Major, delivering the
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96 MADELINE.

inſtructive leſſons of the pious Fordyce, Blair,
&c. the diſcourſe ſtill mended, by his own

moral remarks, ſhe had alſo liſtened with rap-

ture, to ſounds iſſuing from the lips of Ma-
deline, that reached to heaven, while the fin-
ger of Ellen heightened the harmony; on
theſe ſweet—theſe ſolemn occaſions, her ſoul
vas raiſed ſomething above mortality; what
then where her ſenſations, when Miſs Cleve-
land; with a pack of cards in her hand, arrang-
ing the parties, inquired whether ſhe played
whiſt, quadrille,—or would fit at a round
game? an aſtoniſhment bordering on terror,
at firſt kept her ſilent, Miſs Cleveland had
traverſed the room, thy friend conſidereth,

faid ſhe to Madeline, glancing a ſuperc.'ious

look at Miriam; at what wilt thee play ? «at
nothing, Madam, I never play on ſunday.
Ah dieu, quelle follie ! Miſs Elen—my ſiſter
and had the ſame inſtructors, Miſs Cleveland,
I do not play; returning to Miriam ſhe con-
tinued, haſt thee determined young friend ?
determined! anſwered the {till agitated girl
with a look of horror at the cards ; Miſs Cle-

a | veland

MADELINE. 57

Cleveland ſtill ſnuffled, determined! yes to
quit a ſcene ſo impious, ſo deteſted. Made-
line ſeeing her friend pale and trembling aroſe,
ſaying, © I will attend you, my dear Mis
Primroſe to another apartment.” —Ellen, The
three ladies were leaving the room, when
Mr. Cleveland ſnatching the hand of Made-
line, exclaimed, being alittle inebriated, by
heaven! you do not go—ſurely you are ſupe-
rior to ſuch ſuperſtitious folly, is not the early
part of the day ſufficient for the practice of
piety ? if not, faith commend me tor a good
catholic, You are at liberty, ſir, replied
Miſs Montgomery, with a petriiying coldneſs,
and withdrawing her hand, to purſue that
mode of faith which beſt ſuits you, permit
me to retire, my friend is indiſpoſed; Lady
Cleveland advanced, © my dear girls what
detains you from the tables? we do not play,
replied Madeline, to-night, let us not engage
your time, we wiſh to retire; be perſuaded
Madeline, cried her Ladyſhip; Joſeph, the
will not refuſe you compliance with a cuſtom,
lo generally received in the great world, that
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it conſtitutes it right. © I have conſidered,
Madam,” replied Madeline with dignity, and
piqued at her addreſs to Joſeph, that what is
falſly termed innocent amuſement, and well-
bred compliance with modern cuſtoms, the
firſt ſtep to vice; and I further aſſure your
Ladyſhip that Mr. Cleveland, is the laſt per-

ſon who could either convince my under-

. ſtanding, or alter my reſolution.”

The three ladies then retired, followed by
Captain Glanville, Mr. Herbert and Joſeph
Cleveland. Fanny ſoon joined them and

was propoſing a ramble, when Captain Glan-

ville obſerved the clouds portended a ſtorm,

tis pity ſaid Joſeph, who felt offended with

Madeline, and at the beſt had but an irrita-
ble temper, for we ſhall find it difficult to
ſelect a ſubject adapted to the underſtanding
oi our hearers; you offered us great reaſon
to doubt your own, and tax your politeneſs,
replied Glanville, I am of opinion with one
of our firſt writers, „that in converſing with
women, we ſhould cndeavour to exalt and

refine

MADELINE. | 99
refine our ſubjects, inſtead of debaſing them.“

Mr. Cleveland was prevented replying, by a
violent clap of thunder, which ſhook the
whole edifice, followed by tremendous flaſhes
of lightning and torrents of rain. Frances
had thrown herſelf into the arms of Mr. Her-
bert for protection; while Miriam in the at-
titude of piety, exclaimed ſoftly, © Mighty
God!] puniſh not innocence with guilt ! but
let thine all pervading power awaken the
hardened ſinner to repentance !'” Joſeph
laughed at what he called her enthuſiaſm ;
while Glanville preſſed her cold hand and
whiſpered,

Fear not,
Sweet innocence! thou ſtranger to offence,

And inward ſtorm ! He, who yon ſkies involve
In frowns of darkneſs, ever ſmiles on thee

With kind regard.

and that ſame voice,
Which thunders terror thro” the guilty heart,
With tongues of ſeraphs whiſpers peace to thine,
"Tis ſafety to be near thee ſure,”

F 2 — Made-

—

MADELINE.

100

Madeline was compoſed, yet wiſhed her-

ſelfat the Caſtle, while poor Ellen ſhrunk from
herſelf on the repetition of every peal; the

ſtorm continued with unremitting fury, and
the Miſs Montgomerys ſuffered a meſſenger

to be diſpatched, telling they remained all

night at Howard Place. The card parties
were broke up, and all aſſembled to an early
ſupper, the diſtant thunder was ſinking gra-
dually into ſilence, when all retired to repoſe.

Madeline and Miriam were allotted the

ſame apartment. In vain the gentle Qua-
ker laid her head upon the pillow, ſtill the
form of Glanville would obtrude; what

thought ſhe, could he ever be to me, even

did he love me, his faith, —my father's—ſhe

ſhuddered,—mine, ſhe ſighed, —-Oh Glan-
ville ! Glanville ! why didſt thee appear—
why, why diſturb a calm, which until now
ne'er knew an interruption ; her thoughts
had enjoyed but a ſhort ceſſation in ſleep,
when Madeline ſtarting ſhrieked, © gracious

heaven! what a fearful dream.“ Beloved

Made-

MADELINE. 101

Madeline ! what moves thee ? « Oh Miriam
what a dream!“ ſweet friend let not the wan-
derings of a ſleeping fancy alarm thee ; what
haſt thee to fear ? with a ſweet voice ſhe re-
peated,

% Hail univerſal Lord, be bounteous ſtill
To give us only good; and if the night
Have gather'd ought of evil or conceal'd,
Diſperſe, as now light deſpels the dark.”

She unfolded her hands, ſaying, tis weakneſs
to inquire and to repeat, yet what didſt thee
dream my friend? I thought, ſaid Madeline,
that Sir Joſeph came to me with his boſom
open, and ſtreaming with blood, and bade
me haſte to the Caſtle; quick as ſound I
reached it and beheld, Oh God! my mother
ſtretching out her arms to fave my father,
who appeared ſinking in the burning rutns of
the Caſtle; I flew and caught my father's
arm, but my mother ſunk from my graſp
and was loſt for ever. I thought my father
was much bruiſed, and caſting my eyes on
the buring pile again, I beheld my mother,
P73; robed

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102 MADELINE.

robed in white, riſing over the chapel; my
father eſcaped from my feeble arms, and
both were loſt. I then flew with wildneſs
through the woods, knowing not where to
turn; once I faw thee, then Ellen, and ſoon
after the ladies of this houſe all wretched,
mean and dirty, weeping over the bleeding
body of Sir Joſeph; again I ſought the Caſtle,
when methought your brother Joſiah led me
to our favorite mount, and bidding me turn
my eyes, I beheld the Caſtle riſe in all its
ancient grandeur, and he aſcended in a

triumphal carr, leaving me in the arms of a

young man. I was regaining my compoſure
when ſomething awoke me.” Thy dream is
ſtrange, and muſt be the effects of laſt night's
ſtorm upon thy fancy, replied Miriam, turn
thee, ſleep will compoſe thy ſpirits : again
Madeline ſtarted, and quitting the bed, cried,
ce this is ſomething more than fancy, the ſame
drear viſion riſes to my view, Oh! mighty
heaven guard my parents! fave thy feeble
creature who repoſes in thy ſtrength, for my
ſoul is harrowed with diſmay,”

The

MADELINE. 103

The ſun darted his beams through the cur-
tains, when unrefreſhed and dejected the
friends aroſe. Madeline's mind wasfree from
ſuperſtition, and her underſtanding was en-
lightened, yet ſhe could not drive from her
heart the heavineſs her dreamoccaſioned. The
lark had long begun to hymn her morning car-
rol, the rain of the preceding evening had en-
livened the verdure of the ſurrounding land-

ſcape, and the drops ſtill glittered on the fragrant

bloſſoms, when Madeline propoſed a walk,

if poſſible, to reſtore her tranquillity : fancied

evils! thought Miriam, ah were mine no

more, but ſhe gladly aſſented, and ſhipped
ſoftly down ſtairs. |

By degrees Madeline became more calm,

and turned the ſubje& to Glanville, © how
poor a figure, ſaid ſhe to her companion,
does Cleveland appear when compared with
him ; how agreeably improving his conver-
ſation ! how lively, yet chaſte his wit, how
ſuperior to the faſhionable folly of the
other, who in aiming to be more than he is,

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104 MADELINE,

becomes leſs than nature even made him;“
thee fayeſt right, friend, but what will it all
avail thy Miriam? Madeline raiſed her eyes,
the face of Miriam glowed, it conveyed a
truth to her mind, ſhe looked inquiringly,
the bluſh heightened, it was too much for
the timid Quaker; ſhe claſped the arm of
of her friend, burſt into tears, and ſunk toge-
ther on a moſſy ſeat; © couldft thee believe,
faid the modeſt girl, reſuming her ſerene man-
ner, couldſt thee believe, that thy friend, bred
in the very boſom of ſimplicity, could fo far

forget her faith, her parents and herſelf, as

to ſuffer—alas ! an ill regulated heart to wan-
der at the firſt glance; yea, yield to the firſt
temptation offered by an alluring world in
the form of Glanville ? what daughter of diſ-
fipation could do more! fly Madeline, for-
fake thine indiſcreet friend; folly is contagi-
ous, and I would not taint thy purity, loſt as

J am, be thee ever preſerved: yet thee wilt

never err; oh then in pity, my monitreſs,
guide thy Miriam with council, teach her

how to forget herſelf and Glanville.

Madeline

MADELINE. 105

Madeline loved her friend, and unconſcious
of the folly, ſo deprecated by Miriam, ſooth-
ed her with the moſt endearing expreſſions,
and if ſhe did not compoſe, at leaſt repreſſed
her ſorrow. The breakfaſt bell ſummoned
them to attend, when a quick ſtep behind in-
duced them to look back and beheld Glan-
ville; a momentary fear that he might have
overheard them, mounted the blood in their
cheeks, when he ſaluted them with unuſual
vivacity, ſaying the brilliancy of their com-
plexion, led him to hope they had enjoyed
a ſerene night after the ſtorm,— you judge
from your own feelings perhaps,” ſaid Made-
line,—quite the reverſe, .I never paſſed one
ſo uneaſy, looking on Miriam with expreſſive
langour, and I fear it is but the beginning of
them.

At breakfaſt Lady Cleveland obſerved that
Madeline and her friend were unuſually
grave, and very pale, it might have been
ſo, for the blood had again returned to the
beating heart of Miriam, and an air of abſence:
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166 MADELINE.

cover the face of Sir Joſeph, recalled the noc-

turnal viſion to the mind of Madeline, who
replied, “ it is very probable, Madam, for I
alarmed Miſs Primroſe in the night, by re-
lating a very terrific dream, which in defiance
of reaſon, agitated me even when awake, “ do
you heed dreams, Miſs Montgomery?“ faid
her Ladyſhip, no Madam, yet this was fo
particular, and we frequently find, that even
reaſon's efforts cannot ſubdue the prejudice
of nature, for my education never encouraged
ſuperſtition ;*' dear creature, ceaſe comments,
cried Miſs Cleveland, for I die to hear your
dream. Sir Joſeph interrupted, I thought you
ſuperior to the weakneſs, While relating the

ſcenes her ſleeping fancy had preſented, the

Baronet betrayed viſible emotion, his colour
varied, and when ſhe ceaſed, without raiſing
his eyes, he exclaimed, 1n a tremulous voice,
« and yet 'twas but a dream.” No more, fir,

_ anſwered Madeline, ſmiling, yet remarking

his manner.

The ſubje& then dropped, and the ladies,
| with

*

MADELINE. 107

with Fanny, attended by Mr. Cleveland, re-
turned to the Caſtle. Fanny had evidently
ſhunned any private converſation with Made-
line, but could not refuſe her invitation, be-
ing imperfect in her part for next day's re-
preſentation. When aſſembled in the dreſ-
ſing room of Mrs. Montgomery, Madeline
ſeating herlelf on the ſofa, ſighed deeply, her
mother looked at her, and taking the hand
of Fanny, inquired, with the kindeſt concern,
the reaſon of her dejection, © you are reſerv-
ed my lovely girl, continued ſhe, where 1s
that innocent vivacity, that amiable frank-
neſs, which made you ſo dear to my heart?
how have I loſt your confidence ? weep not
my love, repoſe your griefs in my boſom,
and aſſure yourſelf of my utmoſt indulgence,
ſhould you need it.” My more than mother !
anſwered the ſobbing girl, what our own
hearts diſapprove, we naturally wiſh to con-
ceal from thoſe, whoſe good opinion we are
anxious to preſerve ; I am conſcious of error,
and tho” a ſtranger to guilt, would ſhun your
examination ; I have inſenſibly ſtrayed from

F 6 f the

108 MADELINE.

the limits preſcribed by duty and reaſon,
and would bury my folly in filence, as the
only means left me to endure it; yet deareſt
Madam, who can direct the movements of
the heart. Miriam ſighed; “ no one, anſwer-
ed Mrs. Montgomery, no one my Fanny!
I underſtand your feelings, and will ſpare
your confuſion ;” how kind you are, why then
ſhould I bluſh, (ſince Herbert 1s worthy,) to
ſay, that my deareſt wiſhes are for his peace
Martha, the favorite of my mother loves him,
but he can only live for Fanny. he aſks not

fortune, wiſhes but for that he has long had,
my affection—he is not rich, but has abili-

ties that will more than inſure a competence;
my ſiſter rejected would ſharpen a refuſal of
me, and he would be diſcarded with diſdain.
« Appeal to your father,” oh it would avail us
nothing, he is become, inattentive to every
thing, and would refer to my mother. Mrs.
Montgomery replied, wittaffeftionate ſeriouſ-
neſs, you muſt, my ſweet Frances, leave time
to act in your favor, by a firm perſeverance in

duty, you will ſtill more engage the eſteem of

your

MADELINE, rog

your lover, and believe an experienced friend,
that the conſciouſneſs of having obeyed its dic-
tates, will diffuſe a ſerenity over your mind,
which even the poſſeſſion of your tendereft
wiſhes, if obtained by a deviation from pru-
dence, could neverafford; ſecure in your lover,
unintimidated by any forced match, rely on
providence to extricate you; to every duty
there is annexed a bleſſing, and nothing but a
groſs violation of the laws of nature, in a pa-
rent, can abſolve a child for withdrawing her-
ſelf from his protection...

My beſt friend, replied Fanny, if with you,

I ſhould act right; if left to myſelf, with an
urgent agreeable lover, unkind treatment,
and I bluſh to add, nt good example, I fear
my own weakneſs, but to merit your love, I
will, yes, I will ſtrictly guard myſelf from a
too perſuaſive tongue; if I conquer, you will
approve, if I yield, you will pity, if not
forgive me. She-then threw her arms around
her maternal friend, and was ſoon compoſed
enough to aſk Madeline if ſhe had recover-
ed

_ "MADELINE,

ed her ſpirits ? What diſordered them, inter-
rupted her mother, anxiouſly ? Only a dream
mamma, but ſuch a dream! © My love are
you ſo weak ? poſitively I ſhall chide you all,
all but my meek unerring Miriam ;” I pray
thee except not me, cried ſhe, colouring con-
ſciouſly ; the gay Ellen, though affected by
Fanny's tears, was half tired of ſentiment, ran
to her mother and kiſſing her, faid © I am the
beſt child of the whole, for Miriam is going
to transform the gay Glanville into a friend,
becauſe thereis notpreciſeneſs enough amongſt
us already.” And would not thee have every
one a friend? interrupted Miriam, ſtriving
to conceal her confuſion under a forced ſmile ;
Ellen, faid her mother, you was born to teaze,
while ſhe ſilently noticed Miriam, addreſſing
Madeline, ſhe requeited, ſhe might baniſh the
remembrance of her dream, and to fortify her
mind in future againſt ſuch weakneſs to conſi-
der the glorious Being that views the paſt,
the preſent, and future, in one glance, who diſ-
poſes of events for the good of his creatures
that repoſe on his mercy; when thou layeſt

down

MADELINE. | 5111

down to ſleep, continued ſhe, in the words

of an elegant author, recommend thyſelf to

his care, when thou ariſeſt, give thyſelf up
to his direction; he will either avert impend-
ing evils, or turn them to thy advantage,
fear not the time, nor manner of thy death,
he knoweth both, and under his protection
he will not fail to comfort and ſupport thee
in the hour of trial.”

The Major entered, and informed them
Joſiah Primroſe was below, © he cometh for
me perhaps,” ſaid Miriam, © I wiſh faid
Ellen our rehearſal had been to-day, you
would then have enjoyed part of the amuſe-
ment in ſpite of their formality ;” © thinkeſt
thee ſo poorly of Miriam, . friend Ellen, as
that ſhe would ſteal a fleeting pleaſure, bur-
den her mind with concealment, and hazard
a diſcovery, which wouldplunge her into con-
fuſion and ſname; © and wilt thee,” added
Ellen, archly, “ be ever thus open? verily ſweet
Miriam thee muſt, for thy countenance will
ever betray thee.” In deſcending the ſtairs
the

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172 MAD ELIN E.
the Major drew Madeline into his ſtudy,
faying he had a few words for her privacy,

this was not unuſual, it did not alarm her;

they were ſeated, and her father kindly preſ-
fing her hand, aſked if Mr. Cleveland had
not been particular in his attentions of late;
« to whom, dear fir?” To my Madeline; he
loves her, and I have received very liberal
propoſals from Sir Joſeph; your mind my
child 1s too exalted to blight his hopes, be-
cauſe the imprudence of his parents, tinged
his birth with a ſtain; if he is worthy, the
generous will forget it; anſwer now, my dear-
eſt, without a fear? your happineſs is my firſt
conſideration, I may direct your judgment,
never bias your heart: She kiſſed her father's
hand and replied, this I expected from my
parent; no my beloved fir, too- dear, too
facred is your protection, to quit it for that of
any I have yet ſeen; the worthof Mr. Cleve-
land has been a ſubject ſo totally unintereſt-
ing, that if he has any I have overlooked it,
pardon my freedom to the ſon of your friend ;
but indeed I never beheld him but with ſen-

lations

MADELINE. 113

ſations of diſguſt; ſurely you are partial my
father, or your ſuperior judgement would diſ-
cern, that he, by a ſpeciouſneſs acquired in
that great ſchool, the world, hides an ungene-
rous heart, and if in youth, when the mind,
open to all the feelings of humanity, (as I have
heard it pourtrayed) appears ſordid, what will
it be when time that blunts our ſenſibilities,
ſhall have rendered it ſtill more callous to
generous impreſſions? believe me, fir, that his
only pleaſure is in the gratification of his
own ſelfiſh paſſions, how dreary then the path
of life with ſuch a companion.” I never
knew you my Madeline ſo ſevere, replied the
Major, but from what you have ſaid, would
Sir Joſeph offer his whole fortune ; my child
ſhould not be urged another moment; retire
my love, let not the fainteſt gloom cloud
your brow, from what has paſſed, my chil-
dren ſhall ever find, that as it is my province
to direct and approve, it is theirs to ſelect
and love.” She was going to compoſe her
thoughts alone, when Ellen beckened her
from the lawn, ah! thought ſhe, as ſhe deſ-
cended, would every parent act like mine, how

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114 MADELINE,

few would execrate the marriage ſtate, and
bring ruin and wretchedneſs on families. I

feel that it is the rigid parent that too. often
makes the undutiful child.

CHAP, VI.

LLEN andher party were ſeated under

a ſpreading oak, and on the approach

of Madeline, Joſiah aroſe to meet her, health
no longer bloomed in his cheek, his eyes
had loſt their mild luſtre, and were only ex-
preſſive of langour and deſpondency ; his un-
aſſuming modeſty, the dignity of his air,
blended with reſpectſul tenderneſs, and his
ſerious manner, ſhe contraſted with the con-

ceited

MADELINE. 115

ceited undaunted brow, the unmeaning gal-
lantry, the inſipid laugh and diſguſting free-
dom of Mr. Cleveland ; intereſting youth !
thought ſhe, what can depreſs thee ! with a
complaiſant ſmile ſhe preſented her hand, and
hoped he was recovered from the uneaſineſs
which oppreſſed him at their laſt meeting ;
his hand was cold and trembling, ſhe preſſed
it, the tear of ſenſibility ſparkled in her eye,
and with the ſofteſt accent, ſhe ſaid, dear
Joſiah what diſturbs you? they reached the
oak, he ſtill held the hand of Madeline, when
ſitting down he reſted his head on the tree,
dropped it, and burſt into tears : Brother of
my heart ! cried the affrighted Miriam ; Ma-
deline, ſiſter of my love! ſave, pity, love
my Joſiah ! Alas, anſwered Madeline, what
demon ſheds his influence, and diſturbs a ſere-
nity in which we all were bleſſed? friend of
my peaceful happy days, I do love thy Joſiah!
he knows no pleaſure that I do not ſhare, he
feels no ſorrow that I do not ſuffer, even now
my heart is burſting to behold him; let
it compoſe thy ſpirits—addrefling him, — dear
Joſiah that Madeline will ever be thy friend,

thy

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116 MAD ELIN E.

thy ſiſter, thy companion cheriſhed in her

boſom as is thy Miriam, fill will ſhe emulate

thy worth, approve thy viitues, walk with
thee in innocence on carch, and h il thy good-
neſs in a world of angels; even Ellen was
moved, and held his hand to her heart, Miri-
am had the other, and as Madeline ceaſed
ſpeaking, the ſuffering youth raiſed his eyes,
« ſweet excellence! cried he, bleſſed in thy-
ſelf and in thy goodneſs bleſſed ; why was I
born to wring a tear that I would die to ſpare .
yet oh!] ſpurn not, caſt not the poor Joſiah
from thy heart, though he muſt yet preſume
and pray a bleſſing, which thee haſt not offer-
ed, yet, couldit thou, all ſweetneſs as thou art,
reſolve thee to foriake the gay admiring

world, ſeclude thee in the bloom and pride

of beauty; forget the bright diſtinctions of
thy birth, and all the ſplendid vanities of
life. Oh virtuous Madeline, couldit thee do
this ? couldſt thee, without the ſigh of bitter-
neſs, of fad regret, renounce theſe unſubſtan-
tial pleaſures for calm retirement, innocent
delight and domeſtic bleſſings ? couldſt thee

throw

FLY

MADELINE. 117

throw off the glittering attire, and for a while
array that faultleſs figure in our ſimple dreſs?
ſay firſt of women could thee ? *twould ſtill
be thine to exerciſe thy darling virtue, bene-
volence, in every form, to heal the broken
hearted, feed the hungry, raiſe the head of
penury, and ſooth dejected long forgotten
merit; oh then, my faireſt, moſt adored
Madeline, decide for ſmiling peace and poor
Joſiah ;” peace uttered Madeline faintly, his
eye '{hone with hope, his breaſt throbbed
Vith expectation, he continued, © tranſport-
ing thought! to guard my love, to ihield
her ſweetneſs from each threatning ill, antici-
pate her withes, watch her very look ! Oh
Madeline, deign buc to make this breaſt thy
pillow of repoſe, the ſure repoſitory of each
pain, and oh ! with what tenderneſs I'll wait
upon thee, and bleſſing thy wonderous good-
neſs, pay thee hourly worſhip, through all the
accidents of life; in ſickneſs, ſorrow, diſap-
pointment, I'll guard thee with the ſafteſt
care, and be thy guardian, brother, friend
and huſband ;” peace repeated Madeline,

ſtill

6

118 MADE LINE.

ſtill dwelling on the word, the peace of Ma-
deline Joſiah hath deſtroyed ; be bleſſed
Joſiah and forget poor Madeline ; no longer
muſt ſhe liſten, no more hang on thine arm
in peaceful friendſhip, paſſion uſurps its place
within thy breaſt ; ſhe hath loſt her friend, but
Joſiah can never gain Madeline; yet ſaid ſhe,
relenting at his pale looks, yet, remember
what you owe me, what I owe my faith, it
is firm as yours; what I owe my parents and
myſelf; you are {till my friend, but never
can be more, Joſiah ; looking at him with
firmneſs, no- NEVER: Miriam, added ſhe,
you might have ſaved me this conflict, why

have you betrayed me ? this is too much ex-
claimed Miriam, weeping, ah recall that

angry glance, the troubled heart of Miriam

cannot bear it from her Madeline ;” well, ſaid

Ellen, who had long been filent, and who
really pittied Joſiah; well, afterall Madeline,
Ithink, with afewadditionsto preliminary arti-
cles, you may as well take Joſiahand ſubmit to
the pinched cap and cloſe bonnet, with all the
prim plaiting of the preciſe Quaker, as marry
Cleveland, and have neither cap, bonnet or

gown

8 8 — = — p —
r -- 4c

MADELINE, 119

gown to wear, for he certainly would ſet them
all on a ſhake of the elbow, or cut of the cards,
Ellen had ſpoke in ſuch a tone, that Made-
line herſelf could hardly decide whether in jeſt
or earneſt, and was conſidering how ſhe had
heard of Cleveland's offer at all; but anſwered
with a ſerious look, that ſhe would neither
marry a man ſo bigoted, as to conceive a mode
of dreſs, a matter of conſequence in religious
or moral rectitude; or one who was ſo loſt

to honor and prudence, as to endanger its

ſafety by indiſcretion.

Recollection had reſtored Joſiah to ſome
compoſure, when the name of Joſeph Cleve-
land plunged him in redoubled horror, and
turning to Madeline with agony depicted on
his face, blended with conſcious ſuperiority
over his rival, cried, can the chaſte, the ſen-
ſible heart of Madeline, be hired by the vain
trappings, or the ſpecious pretences of the
frivolous, immoral Joſeph Cleveland? ſoft-
ly Joſiah, anſwered ſhe, half ſmiling at his
haſte to criminate a rival, I have ſeldom
known

120 MADE LINE.

known you ſevere; but continued ſhe, her

face glowing with an artleſs and innocent af-

fection, be perſuaded, could the heart of
Madeline deign one ſerious though on that
young man, it would be ſunk far beneath
your notice and eſteem; offer not then your
own merit ſo poor a compliment, but reſt
ſatisfied in my firſt regard, and learn that the
mind you could not teach a warmer ſenti-
ment, will never ſtoop to an inferior conqueſt.
No Joſiah ! the principles of one whom my
heart cannot approve, will neyer have power
to influence my feelings ; could any circum-
ſtance have ſoothed him after what had paſſed,
it was her perfect diſapprobation of Joſeph
Cleveland. ;

It will be remembered by the reader, that
Madeline poſſeſſed the firſt place in the
eſteem of Mr. and Mrs. Primrofe, they be-
held her in a ſuperior light to the reſt of her
"ſex; her unaffected piety, her brilliant vir-
tues, her gentle nature, and the indifference

ſhe ever profeſſed for gaicty and ſplendor,
together

MADELINE. 121

together with her contempt for diſſipation, en-
deared her to their hearts; and when the
anxiety of the father, and tendernels of the
mother, for their darling Joſiah, perceived

that he ſtruggled with ſecret depreſſion, that

his health declined, his ſpirits funk, and de-
ſpondency was undermining his conſtitution,
with anxious ſolicitude they implored him to
diſcloſe his ſorrow, aſſuring him he might de-
pend on every indulgence to his wiſhes.

Glorying in his attachment, and proud of

a diſcernment, that led him to love where
his reaſon approved; without heſitation he
confeſſed his paſſion for the virtuous Made-
line. It was impoſſible for the parents to con-
demn their ſon (warm in youth, with all the
generous paſſions glowing in his heart,) for
loving an object, whom even the ſeverity of
principles and frigidity of age could not but
approve; and when they conſidered her piety,
virtue, gentleneſs, and preference of a life of
retirement; they, or rather his father (for his
mother was not bigotted) conſented to his
el. G wiſhes,

N
* „
Lo — — BL pe = Ow L I'S Y 2 —

122 MADELINE.

wiſhes, on condition that Madeline poſſeſſed
ſufficient affection for Joſiah, to throw aſide
the robes of vanity, and at leaſt ſpare the
ſevere ſtrictures of their ſect. Mr. Primroſe alſo
indulged a latent hope (ſo partial are we to our
opinions) that when Madeline, upon a nearer
acquaintance with the innocence and ſimpli-
City of their people, beheld their unoffending
manners and integrity of conduct, might be
induced to alter her own religious ſentiments,
and conform to their ſyſtem of worſhip.

Such had been the converſation at the val-
ley, the day Mrs. Primroſe and her family
were invited to the play, by the Miſs Mont-
gomerys. The hopes of Mr. Primroſe, whoſe
heart was full of his ſon's confeſſion, ſanguine
in expectation, and anxious to convert his in-
tended daughter-in-law, received a ſevere
check, in the diſapprobation ſhe evinced on
their refuſing to accept the feſtive invitation;
yet, notwithſtanding his bigotry, ſtruck with
the juſtice, the ſolidity of her arguments, his
uſual preciſeneſs gave way, his caution was

forgot,

MADELINE. 123

forgot, and in a voice of impatience, he ex-
claimed, © what could tempt thee to renounce
thy vanities ?” had her reply been leſs deci-
ſive, or more conſonant to his wiſhes, an ec-
clairciſſement moſt probably had then taken
place ; but as he had time to conſider, bigotry
reſumed its empire, he coldly told his ſon,
on returning from the Caſtle, that he had
named the condition on which he had leave to
take Madeline to wife.

Mrs. Primroſe had never confined the idea
of perfection to her own ſect; obſervation,
and a communication with others, diſcovered
they had errors, and expanded her own mind;
| ſhe poſſeſſed a larger ſhare of penetration
than her huſband, and had long watched the
gradual progreſs of her ſon's attachment, and
though perfectly acquainted with the ſoft com-
placency of Madeline's nature, ſhe alſo knew
that ſhe poſſeſſed a dignity and firmneſs, with-
out which the female character would ſink
into infignificance. She loved Madeline, ſhe
adored her ſon, and informed him nothing on

| os earth

124 MADELINE.

earth could afford her ſuch real comfort, as
to behold him her huſband; but to ſpare.
much future diſappointment, not to hint that
a change of ſentiment would be expected, for
that his father had thrown ſuch a gloomy
ſeverity over their religion, that even as an
acquaintance, ſne had ſnuddered. She ad-
viſed him to addreſs Madeline, gain her con-
ſent, (for the partiality of the mother mag-
nifying every qualification, doubted not the
ſucceſs of her darling, particularly as ſhe had
always tre ated him with affection, ) and remain
ſilent as to the article of faith; if ſhe choſe
to conform afterwards—well, —if not, he had
not ſo conitracted a ſoul, as to ſuppoſe pra&1:e
of virtue was alone confined to their perſua-
ſion ; on the contrary he beheld modeſt worth
and unfeigned piety could reign even in the
boſom of a daughter of high birth and faſhion.
Joſiah was not a bigot, though he was par-
tial to his own mode of worſhip ; ſtrict in his
principles, he ſhuddered at the thought of
diſſimulation, and replied, he was convinced,
nothing but her unbounded regard for his

| 3 happineſs

—_

MADELINE, 125

happineſs could have induced her to offer ſuch
counſel to a heart, ſtruggling with duty to a
parent, and the moſt ardent paſſion; confeſſed
his peace, perhaps exiſtence, depended on an
union with Madeline, but that if he could not
obtain the bleſſing by the efforts of honor,

| ſincerity, and the quiet pleaſures he was em-
powered to offer, he diſdained the aid of any

method he could not juſtify to himſelf. 1
may be unhappy concluded he, but will never

deſerve it; thoſe principles of right I imbibed
in the days of hope, I have reſolution to
practiſe in thoſe of adverſity and diſappoint-

ment. I may encounter ſorrow but never
yield to guilt;” almoſt choaked with the va-
riety of his emotions, he then embraced his
mother, ſaying, in accents ſcarcely audible,
that he would ſeek an opportunity to diſcloſe
his wiſhes to Madeline,

The day he attended her home, his feelings
were too powerful for expreſſion, and no other
offered until the day preceding the play,
waen the ſweetneſs of her voice, the tender-

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125 MAD ELIN E.

neſs of her inquiry, and the amiable frank -
neſs of her manner, encouraged the diſcloſure;
o:tended as ſhe appeared, firm and reſolute as
had been her refuſal, it conveyed a gleam of
pleaſure that ſhe knew his ſentiments. She
had liſtened, had been affected, confeſſed the
warmeſt eſteem, — nay more, had rejected a gay

faſhionable rival, theſe conſiderations, if they

afforded not hope, precluded alſo deſpair; and
when they returned to the Caſtle to dinner,

felt more compoſure than when he leſt it; not

ſo the boſom of our heroine, ſtrange as it

may appear to our modern belles, who

triumph in a lover's pain, and delight in con-
queſt; the day ſhe had rejected two, was the
firſt in which ſhe had ever taſted ſorrow. She
had denied the requeſt of a beloved father;
true, he didnot urge her, but the propoſal im-
plied a wiſh, which ſhe had diſappointed, per-
haps planted regret in his breaſt, injured him
with his friend, the friend he loved before ſhe
had being.

The modeſt dear Joſiah, ſhe could no lon-
ger

MADELINE. 127

ger treat with the artleſs affectionate freedom,
ſhe felt the hours of innocent confidence were
paſt; ſhe muſt now learn to reſtrain her feelings,
aſſume an air of reſerve, and give only cold
approbation where ſhe might delightto praiſe;
yes, thought ſhe, I muſt purſue another line of
conduct, teach my tongue diſguiſe, my uſual
freedom would encourage hope, and give ex-
pectation I could never anſwer ; what! betray
my faith ! be ruled by thoſe who cannot rule
themſelves ! alas! Joſiah, what deluding ſpirit
moved thee to cheriſh ſuch a mad idea. Yet
I love thee, love thee with all a ſiſter's fond-
neſs; ah unſuſpecting Madeline, paſſion too
oft miſleads the heart of man, and hath diſ-
troyed the friendſhip of Joſiah; her feelings
were indefinable, ſhe loved him, yet her
heart receded from the thought of marriage ;
ſhe knew not, ſo placed it to the account of dif-
ferent religious opinions. The day paſſedat
the Caſtle tolerably, Joh ah and Miriam left
it early. Madeline kiſſed her her brother ap-
proached her with an embarraſſed air, held out
his hand, good night, ſweet Madeline! good

64 nigat,

123 MADELINE

night Mr. Primroſe! returned ſhe coolly ;
it had an unuſual reſerved ſound; he ſighed and
withdrew. The young ladies had been early
taught the art of good management, the
Major's confined income enforced the prac-
tice; their mother, while amiably buſy in do-
meſtic affairs, would tell them that the largeſt
fortune was inſufficient for the demands of ex-
travagance, while a very moderate one, would
anſwer for the neceſſaries, even elegancies of
a well regulated houſehold, and chat much
might be ſaved by a ſtrict attention to the
minutæ of expences; Ellen was careleſs, but
Madeline always preſided in the houſekeeper's
room, regulated the table, where œconomy,
directed by taſte, pleaſed the eye and grati-
fied the palate. While they were arranging
every thing for next day, Mrs. Montgomery
enquired of her huſband, who Mr. Herbert
was? A gay young barriſter, replied he, and
one of the moſt prepoſſeſſing figures I ever
beheld, his circumſtances are eaſy, and he
was invited by Lady Cleveland to Howard
Place, in hopes he would marry Martha, who

1S

MADELINE. 129

is attached to him; but Cupid is inclined to
give them a game at croſs purpoſes, for he is
fond of Fanny, and if he had a little more
ſtability, and a little leſs vivacity, I could not
wiſh your favorite a better huſband.

The evening proving fine, Mrs. Montgo-
mery propoſed a walk on the lawn, where
Fanny's ſoft voice was warbling the plaintive
air of © Mary's Dream,” when a loud ring at
the gate made her ſtop, and in a few minutes
Cleveland, Glanville and Herbert were before
them. The Major introduced the two latter
to his wife, and ſmiling, faid, the pleaſure of
their company was earlier than he had hoped
for ; © faith replied Mr. Cleveland, Herbert
and Martha had got into ſuch a confounded
wrangle, and Glanville in the pouts, that I
was willing to induge my charity, particularly
as it gratified myſelf, and introduce them
where harmony ever dwells.”

Their promenade continued, the eye of
Glanville wandered in vain for the modeſt

G 5 Miriam,

130 MADELINE.

Miriam, at length he inquired of Madeline,
what ſhe had done with her gentle friend ? ſhe
is gone home, ſir, home! will ſhe not honor
us with her preſence to-morrow ? on account
of to-morrow ſhe has left us; is ſhe indeed fo
ſtrict? ſaid he feelingly ; I don't know, replied
Madeline, ſmiling, but what ſhe would have
given herſelf abſolution for ſeeing our perform-
ance; but her father is ſevere and ſhe is dutiful.
You will have, cried Ellen, to piſtol half the
community, bury the father, tranſport the
brother, and ſtupify the mother, before you
even dare ſay the two ſimple words, © I love.”
Prithee Captain Glanville be adviſed, and
take a madcap like me. Ellen! Nay, Made-
line, he would very near have as much to do
with yourſelf, for you have imbibed a little
of the puritan; Glanville, continued ſhe, in
the valley you may wear theſe looks, here
you ſtand on higher ground, ſo brighten your
features, I am going to propoſe a cotilion on
the green; and away ſhe flew to order a vio-
lin. What amiable vivacity ! faid he, ſhe is
very wid, you muſt not heed her rattle ; alas!
Miſs

MADELINE, 131

Miſs Montgomery, her rattle tells me a ſeri-
ous truth, your friend has undone my peace.
I regret, fir, ſaid Madeline, if it depends on
Miſs Primroſe, ſhe has no power over her-
ſelf: There was ſomething in the turn of her
words which pleaſed him, but being joined
by the company the ſubject dropped.

No violin could be procured, the inſtru-
ments were repairing for next night, ſo the
party fat down to vingt et une, Madeline
was fortunate, and depoſiting ten ſhillings, diſ-
played her green purſe near full of half
crowns, to preſent to the ſchool girls next
day; © you have ſurely, cried Fanny, obſer-
viag them, been beat from a gold table, and
driven to half crown hazard; I do not under-
ſtand you my dear, what do you mean? aſk
Joleph, replied ſhe, rather embarraſſed,
Joſeph was too confuſed to reply, Fanny had
ſpoke without thought, the gentlemen would
not obſerve, the Major appeared to reflect,

and the ſupper bell relieved their mutual con-

fuſion.

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132 MADELINE.

The evening paſſed with hilarity, until
the heavy bell ſounding through the dome,
informed them morning approached, the
three gentlemen accepting beds at the Caſtle,
with mutual compliments they ſeparated.
Poor Madeline reclined her head on the pil-
low, ſtill painful reflection intruded ; ſhe
aroſe early, recommended herſelf to heaven,
hailed the welcome morning and deſcending
the ſtairs ſoftly, exclaimed, © upon this ſacred-
day, a frown was never ſeen on any brow
within theſe walls, nor ſhall a caſt of ſorrow
darken mine; ſhe entered the breakfaſt.
room, and had finiſhed Thomſon's beautiful
deſcription of conjugal happineſs, and was
comparing it to the life of her own amiable
parents; when, much to her diſſatisfaction,
Mr. Cleveland appeared, politely wiſhing
him good morning, ſhe threw the book aſide,
he ſeated himſelf by her and had taken her
hand, when Ellen, unobſerved by him, en-
tered at a door behind, and looking at her
ſiſter, with her finger on her lips, as a man-
date of ſilence, fat quietly down; Made-
line

| 4
7
MADELINE. 133 1

line withdrew her hand, he retook it, © be not
cruel lovely creature ſaid he, the Major may
not yet have told you that my life, my foul, "i
my all, is devoted to—” Stop, fir, interrupted i
ſhe, mildly, my father has informed me of j
the honor you intended him by your alliance,

to him I muſt refer you for my anſwer; ſhe 1
would have retired, he till detained her, ll
« adorable Madeline, accept my vows,” Ii
falling on his knees, that enchanting ſoſt- | |

neſs tells me my wiſh is not rejected. I muſt |
inſiſt, fir, that you reſume your ſeat ; I have no 1 ö
claim to acknowledgements, nor would miſ- |
lead you; I have declined the honor of your }

hand, and requeſt the ſubject may never. be
repeated.

The dignity of her behaviour, the firmneſs -
of her voice, and above all, her unembar-
raſſed manner, at the ſame time that it raiſed
his admiration and added fuel to his flame,
deprived him of every glimmering of hope ;
© am I then rejected, ſaid he, his eyes flaſh
ing indignation, his lips quivering with rage,

| © con-

-
4

134 MADELINE,

te contemptuouſly rejected? give not my
declining your hand, anſwered Madeline calm-
ly, ſo harſh a term as contemptuous rejection,
I am obliged by your preference, but—* but
what, cried he, the ſtorm of fury ſtill in-
creaſing for «what—for whom am I reje&-
ed?” I know not, ſir, what hath given you
a right to inquire, replied ſhe, unmoved; to
tell you for whom, I have not yet conſidered
myſelf, for what perhaps would little gratify
either your pride or feelings. His frame
ſhook with paſſion, and in broken accents,
burſting from a malignant diſappointed heart,
ſaid he, dd difſembling ſoftneſs! be
curled the heart henceforth that truſts that fair
betraying countenance : my pride ! my feel-
ings! yes, proud and ungrateful ! but I'll
wring thine own—deep and concealed as is

thy paſſion, I know for whom I am rejected;

curſe on the fawning hypocrite ! the ſenſeleſs
lump of dull mortality; the low, the baſe
Joſiah Primroſe.” Baſe | repeated Made-
line, with a look he could not miſunderſtand,
« Envy withers at another's joy, and hates the

excel-

MADELINE.

excellence it cannot reach,” added Ellen,
coming forward with Thomſon in her hand;
her preſence was little heeded by Mr. Cleve-
land, he continued, © periſh my ſoul, and
blaſted be my life, if I have not vengeance,”
and like a maniac darted from the room,

The ſiſters looked at each other in ſilence
for a time, when the agitated Madeline, preſ-
ſing the hand of Ellen, faid, preſerve me
heaven ! what a fate had mine been! the en-
trance of Glanville and Herbert prevented
farther converſation. How wears the moon?
ſaid che latter gaily ; firſt, I found Glanville
paying his devoirs to a poor mutilated Venus
among yon old ruins, then Cleveland paſſed
me like a fury, with chattering teeth and
flaming eyes, crying vengeance ! I now
find you ladies “like patience on a monu-
ment,” where is Fanny? I wonder if the
poſſeſſion has reached her. Something more
baletul than the moon's influence hath been
here, but you rejoice me by ſaying it hath
carried its malignity elſewhere, replied Ellen,
who added, Fanny long ſince informed me

of

135 MADELINE,

of Mr. Cleveland's preſumptuous hopes; 1
never hinted them to my ſiſter, becauſe 1
knew 1t would both humble and alarm her ;
but ſuſpecting his intention this morning, and
dreading the effects of his violence, I aroſe
early, thinking even my preſence would be
ſome ſupport. It was indeed, my ſweet
ſiſter, replied ſhe kindly, now my only fear
is for the innocent Joſiah, to whom he attri-
| butes a rejection, which was owing to an in-
explicable diſguſt, a contempt for his princi-
ples and a deteſtation of his vices; I have
condemned my averfion, for the ſon of my
father's friend, but his conduct has now juſti-
fied my unconquerable diſlike ; but a happier
ſubje& will now inſtereſt us, behold my pa-
rents. |

Breakfaſt was hardly over when the family
from Howard Place arrived, they were pro-
ceeding to the rehearſal, when Miſs Cleve-
land exclaimed, but where is Joſeph, our
Manley? He left the Caſtle before breakfaſt,
anſwered the Major; we muſt ſelect another,

| from

MADELINE 137

from among your viſitors to fill the charac-

r. I never thought it well applied, faid Sir
Joſeph, Lady Grace had better ſele another
guardian; without appearing to notice the
emphaſis he laid on the words, with inimita-
ble ſweetneſs ſhe intreated he would be the
Manley of the evening, ſaying with a ſmile,
« had the arrangement fallen to my lot, I
ſhould have diſtinguiſhed my own judge-
ment and taſte by a decided election of Six
Joſeph Cleveland.” Madeline had never
given a word ſuch force as the Six. He took
her hand very gallantly, ſay ing, twenty years
ago I could have thanked you in a better
manner, but to-night I will be in Manley,
what I muſtever be, the admiring friend, and
lover of Miſs Montgomery's virtues. You

are mighty indifferent, ſir, interrupted Lady
Cleveland, apparently offended and agitated,
where is your ſon? Faith your Ladyſhipknows

as much as I do, gone to Durham I ſuppoſe,
(he was an officer in the militia, then encamp-
ed at Durham) no more was ſaid, and the

day was one continued ſcene of pleaſure, hoſ-

pitality

138 MADELINE.

pitality and innocent freedom ; while-propri-
ety, taſte and elegance, diffuſed their charms
through the whole. Every heart belonging
to the Caſtle beat with enlivened ſatisfaction,
every eye beamed delight, the numerous
gueſts declared, that though they had ſpent
ſome days in more ſplendor, never one ſo
pleaſing, or conducted with ſuch happy ſim-
plicity. The hoſpitality was not confined to
the company, a plentiful dinner was provid-
ed alſo for the aſyhum and ſchool, in the great
hall, zt an early hour, and the Major, his
family and gueſts, walked round, and beheld
the tear of gratitude ſwell in the eyes of the
old and infirm, as they prayed for everlaſting
bleſſings on their noble benefactors; the
children, clean and neatly dreſſed, offered their
duty in thoſe artleſs accents, which evinced
them ſincere, and dictated by their own glow-
ing hearts.

Madeline preſented each a half crown, the
Major and his lady gave ſometbing to the old
penſioners, and the gueſts followed their ex-

ample 3

MADELINE. 139

ample ; ſo that the poor had no cauſe to re-
aſſembled to do it honor.

After the play a dance was performed by

the children, which afforded much laughing |

to the company, and gladneſs to the little
performers. The morning dawned before the
gueſts thought of withdrawing, many accept-
ed beds at the Caſtle, and the Major, with
his beloved, retired to guiltleſs ſlumbers, and
that ſerene happineſs which the- boſom of
goodneſs ever feels,

gret the wedding day, nor the viſit of oſs |

MADELINE.,

CHAP. VII.

ATTERS went on with their uſual

X regularity at the Caſtle, and nothing
material happened but that Mrs. Montgo-
mery caught a ſevere cold, which was attend-
ed with a fever. Glanville had become à con-
ſtant viſitor, almoſt a gueſt, and univerſal
favorite; the Major found him a man of ex-
cellent morals, and having always lived in the
buſy world, an agreeable companion, his
principles were eſtabliſhed on honor and recti-
tude ; and having received a military educa-
tion, it more endeared him ; a truly brave
ſoldier,

MADELIN E. 14t

ſoldier, the Major would fay, cannot be an
immoral man; reward is ſouncertain on earth,
that the danger to which he 1s continually ex-
poſed, would ſoon ſubdue a mind unſupported
by virtue, while a conſciouſneſs of right, and
a hope of retribution hereafter, ſuſtain it
amongſt ſurrounding perils; undaunted raſh-
neſs deſerves not the name of bravery, true
courage is cool, the conſequence of virtue, it
feels her influence and can ſmile at danger.
Mrs. Montgomery beheld in Glanville what
ſhe would have wiſhedin a ſon; he was cheer-
ful without levity, agreeable and ſenſible with-
out vanity or affectation; he frequently viſit-
ed at the Valley with the Major's family, and
had liberality enough to pity the erring zeal
of Mr. Primroſe; while he approved the good-
neſs of his intentions, he regretted the viſible
reſtraint laid on the more elevated mind of
his wife. The unaſſuming worth of the mild
Joſiah he held in reverence, while he regard-
ed him with the friendſhip of a brother ; the
gentle Miriam he eſtimated as the firſt of
woman, he loved her with the moſt chaſten-
ed

142 ; MADELINE.

ed rapture ; her exalted virtues engaged his
eſteem, while her artleſs unadorned ſweetneſs
claimed his higheſt admiration ; his penetra-
ting eye ſoon diſcovered, what the open nature
of the amiable girl could not diſguiſe, that he
was dear to her heart, and neceſſary to her
peace ; ſhe would liſten to his vows with the
moſt innocent ſatisfaction, and modeſtly con-
feſs her own guiltleſs regard; when recol-
le cting, ſhe would cry, almoſt in agony, © alas,
dear Glanville, we can never be happy,”
while he wringing her hand at the thought,
would fly her preſence.

The Major's family being engaged to dine
at Howard Place, while Miriam was on a viſit
at the Caſtle, ſhe accompanied them, and at-
tended by Glanville, the three young ladies
ſet out ſome time before the coach, on horſe-
back. Fanny met them in the avenue, and
drew Miſs Primroſe (who was a very nice
floriſt) to look at ſome beautiful exotics, Mr.
Herbert had preſented, while the Miſs Mont-
gomerys proceeded to pay their compliments

to

MADELINE. 143

to Lady Cleveland, promiſing to join them
ina few minutes; her Ladyſhip and eldeſt
daughter were ſeated alone, Captain Glanville
was received with much hauteur, when turn-
ing to Madeline, her Ladyſhip faid, with a
degree of ſpite, © I give you joy Miſs, joy,
Madam! © aye, joy of your conqueſt, your
intended, your modeſt Joſiah, but prithee tell
us, do you mean to let them impoſe their
quaking dreſs upon you? though on recol-
lection the prim plaiting will admirably ſuit
the contour of your ſober features. The
features of that lady, interrupted Glanville
may give grace, but can receive none from
the moſt brilliant attire ; without heeding his
remark, ſhe continued, © he will inveſt you
with all his fortune of courſe, becauſe as Lady
Townaley ſays, you know Ellen, ſhe will never
ſpend it, Madam! replied Ellen, with cold-
neſs, her Ladyſhip proceeded, © but when is
the wedding to be ? what ceremony have the
Quakers?” your information, Lady Cleveland,
anſwered Madeline, 1s fo truly extraordinary,
that I ſcarce know what reply I ought to
make,

_ * 12 4 — =
6

144 MADELINE.

make, unleſs to aſſure you, it 1s totally erro-
neous. © No, no, Miſs you will never be
able to enforce that belief, indeed, tis very
poſſible, Madam, for I ſhall never attempt
it; „ now child you are ſincere, but pardon
me ſaying, I wonder how a girl of faſhion,
nay of taſte, as you are thought, could refuſe
a fine fellow, and deſcend to ſuch a low bred,
inanimate lump of formality, who with pre-
tended piety, and a few trite ſentences, hath
veiled his hypocriſy, and paſſed himſelf upon
your credulous nature for a ſaint; I really re-
gret his art triumphs, and that the ſpirit
moveth thee to folly.” Madam, replied Ma-
deline, riſing with graceful compoſure, the
character of Joſiah Primroſe is as much above
the reach of your malignity, as his virtues are
ſuperior to him, who would have frightened
me into compliance with his wiſhes ; the youth
your Ladyſhip traduces is a ſtranger to art,
he never knew diſguiſe; diſguiſe in him could
only hide his goodneſs, or conceal ſome vir-
tue; his worth will raiſe and bleſs the human
&ind, will be approved by heaven, and ſhine

in

MADELINE, 145

in future worlds, nor do I ever wiſh a higher
triumph than the approving ſmile of the
honeſt, generous Joſiah ; could I, Madam, but
emulate his matchleſs worth, and he honor me
with the offer of his hand, I would accept it;
as I am, I fink beneath my own inferiority :
courteſying rather haughtily, ſhe was retiring,
when her Ladyſhip, holding both her hands,
cried, © my deareſt girl, I aſk ten million of
pardons; attribute my warmth to the ſtate
your rejection has reduced poor Joſeph,
whom you know I love, and have conſidered
as a ſon.“ Is not Mr. Cleveland your ſon ?
demanded Mr, Glanville with ſurpriſe ; who
is he ? Who can tell, anſwered Ellen; all we
know 1s, that Sir Joſeph father's him ; fie
Ellen ! interrupted the generous Madeline,
do not attribute a misfortune, of which he 1s
blameleſs, as a crime; illegitimate birth can-
not criminate the child, though it may reflect
ſhame on the parents; in an amiable charac-
ter it would be forgotten, or if remembered,
only add a luſtre to the worth of the perſon
whoſe own innate goodneſs purchaſed a name,
VOL, 1, H no

146 MADELINE,

no diſtinction of birth could beſtow ; I con-
feſs when we find a man thus circumſtanced,
degrading human nature, by the. practice of
meanneſs and vice, he proclaims the diſhonor
that gave him being; gives the illiberal a
right to throw a deeper ſhade of guilt over
his birth, and ſtamps with infamy the name
he has received.”

Lady Cleveland again apologized, and
promiſed the ſubje& ſhould never be reſumed,
Madeline had the gentleſt nature and the
- conceſſion of the woman, who had fo groſſſy
inſulted her, inſtantly ſubdued her reſentment,
ſhe had vindicated her favorite, and liad been
equally ſevere with her Ladyſhip, and on the
arrival of her parents all anger was forgotten,

To the ſatisfaction of moſt, Joſeph was
abſent, yet the day paſt unpleaſantly, Sir
Joſeph was gloomy and reſerved, her Lady-
ſhip dull, Martha burſting with ſpite, Char-
lotte ill, and Fanny (for whatcauſe unknown)
the image of ſorrow ; cards were introduced

3 | after

MADELINE. 147
after dinner, Madeline and the young friends

prefered a ramble; the gentlemen were ex-
cluded, and the ladies ſet out. In vain Made-
line entreated Fanny to let her ſhare her un+
eaſineſs; “ I am indeed miſerable, ſhe replied,
the cauſe may be known ſoon enough, I will
not diſtreſs my friends, nor forfeit their love
for a little longer; they had almoſt reached
the boundary of Sir Joſeph's ground, when
Ellen, complaining of thirſt, propoſed aſking a
drink of milk in a half ruined cottage, which
ſtood at ſome diſtance in the corner of a bleak
common, they reached it, all was ſilent, “ tis
uninhabited,” cried Ellen, diſappointed; nay,
replied Miriam, for I ſee a young man, he
appeareth unhappy ; they advanced, what a
{cene preſented ! on an old table in the corner
of the hut was a coffin, ſuch as pariſh charity
beſtows on the unfortunate, the youth Miriam
had ſeen leaned his arm on it, while the tears of
bitterneſs fell on the face of a lifeleſs father it
contained. On a miſerable pallet reclined a
poor woman, whoſe countenance exhibited
ſickneſs, anguiſh and want; ſhe was ſupport-

H 2 ed

148 MADELINE.
ed by the boſom of a young girl, the picture

of innocence, whowiped the tears from her own
cheeks, and the cold drops from the brow of
her mother alternately ; on the rugged earthen
floor fat two tattered littie beings, whoſe ſex
could hardly be diſtinguiſhed by the ragged
garments which covered them, eating a piece
of hard bread and the root of a cabbage ; as
the ladies entered, the youth, without looking
up, cried, «© no, Mary, you ſhall never go
again,” the girl ſtarted at their appearance,
but looked with pleaſed ſurpriſe when they
approached the bed, and entreated to know
what diſtreſs occaſioned ſuch a ſcene; that
they had power and inclination to aſſiſt, if their
ſorrows were within the reach of human aid;
« dear ladies, replied the poor woman, feebly,
perhaps God has ſentyou to preſerve my help-
leſs children, our ſtory 1s ſhort, though very
ſad,” no chair was to be ſeen, they ſeated
themſelves on the bed, and ſhe began, my
dear huſband, that lies there cold enough,
was a hard working man, and gained what

kept us all, but he fell ſick ; we could not pay

Our

MADELINE. 149

our rent, were turned out, and this hut has
fince covered us ; my ſon there, dear good lad,
is a journeyman hair-dreſſer, and maintained us
with his wages, at laſt the fever carried off
my huſband and laid me as you ſee; Mary
ſold her cloaths to get wine and phyſic for
her father, and to keep her poor ſiſters from
ſtarving, but oh, dear! here ſhe wept bitterly,
oh dear, the worſt is to be told, we could not
bury my dear John, and my ſon, mad at the
thought, enliſted to get money topay the under-
taker, and they will take him away to-night;
in my ſon we ſhall loſe all, and muſt ſtarve;
his maſter liked him becauſe he was ſober and
honeſt, and gave him money to get his diſ-
charge, and he was to work it out; and that
his Captain might not think it his own wiſh
not to be a ſoldier, we ſent poor Mary, when
oh, lord! the bad ways of grand folks! he ſaid,
if the would come and live with him, make
his bed, and help to unmake it, were his
words, was it not Mary? he would diſ-
Charge her brother, make him his ſervant,
and give her wenty pounds every year of her

H life ;

1
«+.

150 MADELINE,

life ; but if ſhe would not, ſhe might walk
about her buſineſs, and her brother go for a
ſoldier, he is to come or ſend to-morrow for
her anſwer ; Mary begged him to think and
take the money, and not heed a poor girl
like her, but he would have kiſſed her, and
called her ſimpleton, to make matters worſe;
oh.dear! in coming home from Durham in a
return chaiſe, with another man, ſhe was
robbed of all the gold John's maſter had lent
him, for his diſcharge, this is our ſtory and a
fad one it is I know.”

By ſome impellent motion from the heart
to the hand, the green ſilk purſes were pro-
duced by the three ladies; Fanny was never
rich but ſhe gave her mite; as they emptied
the contents of their purſes on the poor ſuffer-
ers bed, © ſomething more muſt be done, ſaid
the weeping Madeline, theſe two little girls
ſhall be received into Montgomery aſylum,
why did you never apply to the Major, or the
Rector?“ Ah, lady! replied the ſick woman,

we were not his tenants, we were Sir Joſeph
Cleve-

MADELINE. 181

Cleveland's, Fanny ſighed ; we muſt, con-
tinued Madeline, remove your Mary from
the future ſnares of that bad man, who will
undoubtedly plan her ruin; I am Major
Montgomery's daughter, you will truſt her
home with me, (truſt her! exclaimed the
mother with apparent rapture,) and my father,
added Madeline, to the young man, (who
ſtood loſt in wonder at the goodneſs he be-
held) will intereſt himſelf for your diſcharge ;
who is your Captain? Captain Joſeph Cleve-
land Madam: gracious God! exclaimed the
four ladies in the fame moment, but took no
farther notice. The ſon was inſtantly diſ-
patched to procure a nurſe, and nouriſhing
cordials for his mother, and ordering him to
attend at the Caſtle next morning, aſſured the
poor woman he ſhould bring her comfort
early in the evening. ,,

They then departed with the young and

comparatively happy Mary, Miriam promiſ-

ing to retain her as a perſonal attendant, they
agreed to ſay nothing at Howard Place of
H 4. : their

132 MADELINE

their adventure, but to deliver Mary to the
care of the houſekeeper until their departure,
they entered the houſe by back gates, and in-
treated Mrs. James to do them the kindneſs,
to allow the girl to fit in her parlour, and ler
her be ſeen by none in the family ; ſhe pro-
miſed and they adjourned to the drawing room.
You have made us uneaſy, my dear children,
- cried Mrs, Montgomery on their appearance,
Oh! replied Ellen whoſe heart was full, and
never much addicted to taciturnity, we have
had ſuch an adventure! and have to crave
mercy from my father and you for the conſe-
quences ;—conſequences ! my love, interrup-
ted the mother, ratheralarmed; © nay, be calm
I pray thee my mother, cried Miriam, the con-
ſequences are, thar our green purſesare empty,
two infants ſaved from periſhing by admiſſion
into thine aſylum, a virtuous young woman
preſerved from the arts of a betrayer, and a
youth enabled again to ſupport a widowed
mother ; thee ſhouldſt not have known this
our adventure until arrived at the Caſtle, but
for the tongue of Ellen, which verily runeth

00

MADELINE, 153

too quick; my generous, charming children!
cried the benevolent Mrs. Montgomery, tak-
ing Fanny's hand, who was ſeated next her;
no more compliments interrupted Lady Cleve-
land, but give us the whole tale, now we
have heard ſo much; it is very ſimple, ſaid
Madeline, and very fad, added Miriam, and

will not pleaſe thee ; then pray let us have it
from Miſs Ellen, ſhe will tincture it with her

vivacity ; Ellen then related the adventure,
and when finiſhed, whiſpered her mother, the
girl was in the houſe, adding aloud, * have
nought extenuated, nor ſet down ought in
malice.” —A Captain! cried the Major, a
villain ! a matchleſs one I hope, added Glan-

ville. A bad man indeed, ſaid Herbert to

take advantage of diſtreſs like poor Mary's ;
well, after all, interrupted Miſs Cleveland, if
the man likes the wench, and ſhe, likes him, I
ſee nothing ſo ſhocking in the matter,. every
man of faſhion keeps a miſtreſs, and ſo long
as they confine themſelves to humble beings,
need not be condemned; the girls muſt be
infinitely happier, kept in ſplendor by a gen-

| H 5 tleman,

134 MADELINE.

- tleman, than be the houſehold drudge, the

- ſlave of a low born clown; ſpoken in charac-
ter, cried Ellen; Lady Cleveland inquired
who this naughty man, this gay Captain, was,
what is his name? „ I muſt be excuſed, faid
Madeline; communicative Ellen, © I ſhall
profit by your reproof Madam, and be filent;
Miriam, thee wilt tell; thee haſt heard enough,
friend Cleveland, aſk no more; ſhe turned
with indignation to the depreſſed Fanny, I in-
ſiſt upon your obedience: Madam! ſaid the
trembling girl: Madam ! reiterated ſhe with
increaſed fury ; Madam, diſcloſe the name all
ſo anxiouſly conceal, - the name, or quit my
preſence ; Fenny raiſed her eyes, as if to look
what effect her anſwer would produce on the
expecting company, and replied, JoskpR
CLEVELAND; inexpreſſible was her Ladyſhip's
confuſion, ſhe had been his confidante in his
de ſigns on Madeline, and abandoned as ſhe
well know his principles were, ſhe could hard-
ly believe, that in the height of a violent
paſſion for our heroine, that he would be
ſcheming out other intrigues, and by keep-

ing

MADELINE. 155

ing her a ſtranger to the tranſaction, leave her

perfectly unguarded againſt an expoſure,

which the wandering charity of her gueſts,

perpetually ſubjected him to. She knew not

t the intrigue was but three days old, and

that the Captain had no opportunity to ac-
quaint her with it, therefore was offended.

The company expreſſed no aſtoniſhment,,
moſt indeed had given the Captain a name,
before poor Fanny was obliged to diſcloſe it.
T is falſe, ſaid her Ladyſhip, Jeſepb Cleve--
lind ! The room door opened, and he ap-
peared, he had arrived during their walk,
and had gone to the ſtables to give ſome
orders to his grooms; © you are come in:
proper time, cried her Ladyſhip, Captain.
Cleveland, to vindicate your character from

an imputation, which has ſubjected you to
the name of villain; ſhe then repeated the
ſtory and the comments made on it; when with
a compoſure, innocence itſelf could hardly aſ—

ſume underſuch an imputation, coolly replied,

he would probably find a time to wipe villain,,

H 6. from:

156 MADELINE.

from the name of Cleveland; as for the mov-
ing little tale fabricated by the ladies, he was
too gallant to contradict the ruby lips which
related it. Have you not a recruit named
John Summers?“ aſked Ellen. I have, and
a very worthleſs fellow I am told he is; would
worthleſſneſs ſupport a family? you are de-
ceived indeed Miſs Ellen, there is no family
but himſelf, his father is lately dead, the
mother gone I know not where; there
friend, cried Miriam, I muſt teſtify againſt
thee ; the youth's ſiſter, whom thee wouldſt
injure, tarrieth within theſe thy gates, verily
the damſel can confute thee.” If you can
produce ſuch a damſel, Miſs Primroſe, replied
the Captain, that would be indeed a damn-
ing proof; but this is rather too much, by her
teſtimony let me be acquitted or condemned.
Ellen flew to the bell, Mrs. James was ſum-
moned, have the goodneſs, ſaid Madeline,
to bring the young woman here; which
young woman Miſs? I know but one Mrs.
James that we intruſted to your care, we left
her in your apartment; the houſekeeper

looked

MADELINE. 157

looked round with a vacant ſtare ; © I pro-
teſt I'm in a maze, lord love you Miſs, I ſaw
no young woman, not even your own ſelf
till now; inſolent! interrupted Ellen with
anger, deliver up the girl; © well now, cried
Mrs. James, was ever the like of this, why
you are ſurely, Madam, acting your play, but
la ! I can't anſwer you; © woman, ſaid Miriam,
with ſolemnity, I charge thee, as thee muſt

anſwer and expect a pardon at the hour of

death, to ſpeak the truth ; did not the daughter
of thy friend Cleveland, theſe two, and TI,
deliver a damſel to thy care this night? be-
think thee woman, and as thee or me
ſpeak truth, ſo God deal with us! the
wretch appeared ſtruck, but inſtantly recover-
ing, replied, with matchleſs effrontery, ſhe

wondered ladies like them, could put upon

a poor ſervant, and hurt her with ſo good a
Lady, left the room.

The Captain meaning to diſplay a greatneſs
of mind, and give a hint of his intentions, ſmiled
and ſaid, he could pardon a little female in-

vention,

158 MAD ELIN E.

vention, he never knew a woman without;
but at a convenient moment he muſt entreat
Sir Joſeph to let him know, who was ſo hardy
as to make it the foundation whereon to build
villain, and attach it to a name that would
waſh it out with blood; he deſerves the ap-
pellation that can hint the threat before a wo-
man, interrupted his father ; fir, added the
Major, I am one who attached villain to the
name of a man who could act in the manner
' theſe ladies were informed you had, ir you
have not; #f ſaid he, fiercely, yes, fir, pro-
ceeded the Major, ir you have been THar
man, you are not inſulted, the perpetrator of
ſuch infamy alone received the name of vil-
lain, therefore you can have no right to re-
ſent it; but if your own heart tells you, you
are at all concerned, why certainly you are
at liberty to vindicate it, in the beſt manner
you can; the. Captain vouchſafed to allow, his
friend had placed the matter in a proper poſi-
tion, he would ſearch it to the bottom, and
his forbearance ſhould prove his innocence.

The

MADELINE. 159

The conſternation of Madeline and her
companions of the adventure, could only be
equalled by their boding fears for the help-
leſs Mary; they doubted not her being en-
ſnared into Mr. Cleveland's power, and ex-

ecrated the vileneſs of Mrs. James; their

own momentary confuſion coſt them not a
thought, the opinion of thoſe they valued was
too ſecure to be ſtaggered by appearances,
and they conſoled themſelves with the idea of
aiding the reſt of the family, and truſted to
heaven to protect the betrayed girl; previ-
ous to this fracas, Sir Joſeph and family had
accepted an invitation to dine at the Caſtle
next day, and partake a rural fete, the Major
commonly gave the end of hay harveſt;
Glanville was but an unwelcome gueſt at
Howard Place, and accompanied the friends
he reſpected home, during their ride, poor
Mary was the topic of converſation, the
Caſtle gates were hardly uncloſed, when
Martha appeared with a world of conſequence
in her good natured face, crying Madam,
Ladies, Sir, Gentlemen, walk into my par-

| lour

160 MADELINE.

lour, I havea preſent for you, forgetting her
rheumatiſm ſhe ran and opened the room door.
Ye who ever felt the ſtart of unexpected
pleaſure, judge the feelings of the three young
ladies, when they beheld, ſeated by a table,
Mary Summers! Oh! ſhe is ſafe exclaimed
Madeline; tis magic! cried Ellen; no, tis
Providence added Miriam; what agent of
his mercy placed thee here, young friend?
before ſhe replies, walk back with me cour-
teous reader, to the ſtables of Sir Joſeph
Cleveland; we oſten find in life that the very
means we take to effect the accompliſhment.
of our wiſhes, in ſome manner unaccounta-
ble to our finite comprehenſions, only remove
them farther from our reach, let it then be
conſidered as an undeniable proof of an over-
ruling Providence ; who to ſhew us the little
dependance we ought. to place in the wiſeſt
and beſt concerted ſchemes, without the
direction of infinite wiſdom, ſuffers them to
fail, and by ordering his own miniſters to ex-
cute his pleaſure, evinces the inſufficiency af
our

|

MADELINE, 161

our niceſt care and invention, and diſplays
the ſuperiority of Almighty power.

To prevent poor Mary from being ſeen,
the ladies entered the houſe by the back gates,
and by that very circumſtance expoſed her
to the danger they were ſo anxious to avoid;
the ſtables fronted the houſekeeper's apart -
ments, and from them Captain Cleveland be-
held their entrance, and his curioſity was ex-

cited to know the reaſon ; allowing them time

to reach the drawing room, he was advancing
to Mrs. James's when thro' a glaſs door he
perceived Mary Summers, her appearance
unveiled the whole; and great as was his
aſtoniſhment, he ſuffered it not to deprive
him of ſufficient preſence of mind to extricate
himſelf: He haſtily retired from the door, and
ordered Mrs. Jamesto attend him ; this good
woman had been very accommodating on
ſeveral occaſions to her young maſter ; if any

of the female ſervants happened to grow too
corpulent, or ſeized with ſudden illneſs, to be

lure they merited pity, and were ſuffered to viſit
their

*

x62 MADELINE.

their friends until recovered; in recompenſe
for this good nature, Mr. Cleveland had
ready a never failing reward ; and no ſooner
had ſhe repeated all ſhe knew reſpectiꝑg this
girl, which conſiſted in her being placed in
her care for a few hours, and not allowing her
to be ſeen, than taking both her hands he ex-
claimed, thou convenient devil, ſhe muſt be
reſigned to me inſtantly, at the ſame time
ſliping five guineas into her hand, —why I
does love to oblige you, but what ſir, can I
ſay to the ladies? D—n the ladies, that ſhall
be ſettled hereafter, prithee haſte now, tell
her a man waits to carry her to Montgomery
Caſtle, fly and command what you will,
he then ordered a groom, alſo very neceſſary
at times, to mount a horſe with a young ſhe
devil, and to take a poſt chaiſe to Durham,
at the firſt town they came to, and confine her

till he arrived, he was alſo deſired to ſend '
ſome confidential aſſociate to the family on
the common, and tranſport them to the ſame
place, but to be kept ſeparate from the gurl ;
giving him his fee, he whiſpered, be ſecret,

and
*

MADELINE. 163

and beheld them ride off. While he rejoiced in
his ſuppoſed ſecurity, and in the confuſion and
diſappointment of her preſervers, and antici-
pated his ſavage triumph over the murder-

ed virtue of the unſuſpecting girl; returning

to the houſekeeper he ordered her to deny
the whole, to ſwear ſhe never ſaw nor heard
of a girl, and to wonder what they meant.
A few more piecesas a falvo for herconſcience
confirmed her, and induced her to act in the
manner already related; mean while the grate-
ful Mary was proceeding on her way, and
promiſing herſelf a world of happineſs in her
change of ſituation, and ardently praying ſhe
might be enabled to give ſatisfaction to her
benefactors, and evince her gratitude ; her
guide had rode at the full gallop, until they
arrived at a hill a little way from the Caſtle ;
Mary had been ſo engaged with her own
pleaſing ideas, that ſhe had not uttered aword;
but finding they aſcended the hill ſlowly, ſhe
requeſted her guide to help her off with a
heavy cloak, which Mrs. James had wrapped
round her (as ſhe faid) to conceal her. 1

Dy wiſh

164 MADELINE.

wiſh uttered ſhe, we were at the Caſtle;
zounds | cried the man, who have we here?
terrified at the violent exclamation, with much
ſimplicity, ſhe replied, © I am Mary Sum-
mers, and are not you my uncle?“ the bridle
dropped from his nerveleſs hand, the horſe
was ſtopped, and Mary and her guide came
to the ground; as it was turf they received no
harm from a fall, cauſedentirely by the ſudden
ſhock, the voice of Mary had given to her
uncle's faculties, |

There we will allow them to reſt while we
introduce William Summers; he was brother
to the deceaſed father of his charge, and for
many years had been under groom in Sir
Joſeph's ſtables, the Captain had often em-
ployed him in low buſineſs, being of a ſhrewd
turn, poor and ignorant he could not reſiſt
the temptation of money, tho he by no means
had a corrupt heart; ſeldom extending his
walks beyond the village or adjoining alehouſe,
and never ſeeing his brother but at Chriſtmas,
he was totally unacquainted with his having

left

MADELINE. 163

left the farm, his death, or the diſtreſs of his
family, elſe, poor as he was, he would have
yielded ſome aſſiſtance. Mary had always been
2 favorite, and on his annual viſit, ſhe uſed
to preſent him ſtockings of her own knitting
and put his linen in order ; he knew, when he
accepted the care of Mary, ſhe was deſigned
to fall a victim to the baſe paſſion of his un-
principled employer, and nature having given
him ſome feelings, he wiſhed them not awak-
ened by the artleſs tongue of his ſacrifice,
but remained ſilent, he had even felt remorſe
for his ſhare in the guilt, but it was loſt in the
glare of gold; had offended heaven in thun-
der warned him from the ways of hell, not to
lad an innocent to ruin, it had not ſtruck his
guilty ſoul with half the horror as did the
voice of the devoted Mary.

The heniouſneſs of his offence, the mag-
nitude of his crime, for a moment, deprived
him of every faculty, and when he recovered
his ſpeech, raiſing her from the ground he
cried, © aye, Mary! I'ſe tak ye now to the

Caſtle ;”

166 MADELINE

Caſtle; during the evening ſhe related their
diſtreſs, and he had juſt withdrawn to the ſer-
vants-hall when the family arrived.

Mary had ſcarce time to reply to Miriam's
queſtion, when her uncle appeared, and as
the beſt conviction he could offer, of the
ſincerity of his repentance, and intended re-
formation of life, made a full confeſſion, not
only of the part he had engaged to act by his
niece, but of the various villainous ſnares he
had been acceſſary to, in promoting the in-
trigues of the diſſolute Cleveland; he con-
cluded with ſtamping on the bribing gold,
and beſeeching the Major to employ him,
which being promiſed, with his niece he re-
tired. Merciful God! cried the Major, to
what a villain would I have devoted my child
deareſt fir, replied Madeline, though I lament
the depravity of your friend's ſon, I feel ſatis-
fied that the horror he excited was not caprice
in me, but an inſtinctive motion from heaven,
which is now juſtified, and teaches me to re-
joice in my happy eſcape from ſuch vile-

nei.

MADELINE, 167

neſs.—Oh ! interrupted Ellen, how we ſhall
exult in his confuſion to-morrow ! no, my
child, returned her father, ours is the triumph

of benevolence, let us not then obſcure its

brightneſs to gratify a poor reſentment ; his
own diſappointment will inform him his plots
are diſcovered; let reflection be his puniſh-
ment. Though the Major felt his honor of-
fended, in his daughter's veracity being un-
der a cloud, he wiſhed to ſpare the feelings
of a father in his beloved friend, and to diſ-
courage a ſpirit of reſentment, which was
too apparent in Ellen when ſhe had been of-
fended ; ſhe reluctantly complied, on receiv-
ing a promiſed leave to diſcloſe the whole, if
the Captain reſumed the ſubje& ; this the
Major thought inſured filence, for it could
not be ſuppoſed but that a conſciouſneſs of
guilt would ſeal his lips? even the mild for-
bearing Miriam was moved on the prohibi-
tion, to exclaim, © thee art ſo good friend!
yet verily I think Ellen will be gratified, for
the perverſe heart of Joſeph Cleveland will
glory in the fancied ſecurity of his plot ; for

thee

168 MADELINE.

thee knoweſt * out of the abundance of the
heart, the mouth ſpeaketh. The ſubject was
then baniſhed from the happy abode.

When the Major's family departed from
Howard Place, Lady Cleveland and Joſeph
exchanging confidence, he informed her of
his intrigue and contrivance, when inſtead of
receiving reproof, ſhe applauded his ſubtilty,
and vowed he was a perfect Machiavel ; her
| Ladſhip related, how warmly Madeline had
ſupported the cauſe of Joſiah, giving it as her
opinion that ſhe would marry him, deceive
the old folks into a belief of her converſion to
their tenets, and on the old man's death throw
aſide the maſk, and blaze with redoubled
ſplendor for the temporary eclipſe.

The empoiſoned worm of jealouſy already
gnawed the malignant heart of Joſeph; envy,
diſappointed paſſion, and relentleſs hatred,
turned his conſcience to a hell, the betraying
ſpirit of darkneſs took poſſeſſion of his
breaſt, and Srought to his view the guilt-

leſs

MADELINE, 169

leſs pair enjoying all the bliſs of wedded life,
in wealth and elegance, he beheld their vaſt
domains, heard them bleſſed by every tongue;
while inſulting memory recalled to his
ce mind's eye” cards, dice, women and race-
horſes, with all the devaſtation they occaſion
and he beheld himſelf ſcorned, deſpiſed and
rejected by all, wandering a mendicant
through the pitileſs world. As the great
enemy of human kind, after reviewing the
bliſsful pair in Eden, returned to his drear
dominions meditating their deſtruction, ſo this
kindred fiend retired, projecting infernal de-
ſigns againſt the innocent Madeline; he meant
if poſſible to taint the mind of Joſiah with ſuſ-
picion of her truth, and if he failed, impre-
cated curſes on himſelf, if he did not take
vengeance and prevent their union.

Mr. Primroſe's family conſented to par-
take the ſimple entertainment at the Caſtle,
and arriving before the other gueſts were
informed of Mary's ſtory, promiſed her

every indulgence, and ſhuddered at the guilt
VOL. I, I of

170 MADELINE.

of Mr. Cleveland. The young recruit ar-
rived early, and fell on his knees before the
preſervers of his ſiſter ; his mother worn out
with fickneſs and want, when the ladies en-
tered was nearly exhauſted, the tide of joy was
too ſtrong, for the attenuated thread of life, a
bleſſing lingered on her cloſing lips for the
goodneſs of her benefactors, and during the
night ſhe expired in the arms of her ſon,

The orphan girls were placed in the aſylum,
the brother diſcharged, and the commanding
officer, ſtruck with ſuch ſingular goodneſs as

ſelling his liberty to procure decent burial for
his parent, received him into his own ſervice
as valet; he was detained at the Caſtle a few
days, to comfort his ſiſters and compoſe his

. own filial feelings; while they mourned their
parents, they yet bleſſed a gracious provi-
dence, that had ſo wonderfully raiſed them
friends in their hours of need.

During the rural fete at the Caſtle, the
ſchool girls in new green gowns enjoyed a
pleaſing

MADELINE, 171

pleaſing triumph, in attending their benefac-
tors at table, which was placed in a beautiful
meadow, under a canopy raiſed for the occa-
ſion, the tenants and young villagers were
dancing gaily, to the enlivening ſounds of the
pipe and tabor, while mirth and good humour
preſided at the board, and every boſom beat
with the pleaſure of the hour, fave the ſelf
tormented heart .of Joſeph Cleveland, who
turning to Ellen exclaimed with (what he
wiſhed to appear) a look of eaſy negligence,
« well, Miſs Ellen! any cottage. adventures
to-day ? any more diſtreſſed damſels, reſ-
cued by female errantry? I always allowed
you a fertility of imagination, but that of
yeſterday ſurpaſſed all; you was the narrator,
who pray was the chief inventor ?”” You are
perſectly obliging Captain Cleveland replied
ſhe, wiſhing to aſſume an air of conſciouſneſs,
we had hoped you were ſufficiently compli-
mented, and amply enjoyed your triumph
yeſterday, then we only invented, to-day we
have improved and finiſhed a few mechanical
figures, which if permitted by my father and

I 2 mother

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mother we will produce, when I flatter my-
ſelf, even you will allow that our execution
much exceeds our invention; thus challer

cried her father, you are at liberty Ellen; her
eyes ſparkled, and Jarvis juſt entering with
wine, ſhe turned to him, and requeſted he
would aſſiſt Mrs. Martha to bring the three
figures in her charge, adding with much gra-
vity, © be careful, they are newly finiſhed
and may be injured ;” the fair mechanics fat
with perfect eaſe, Mr. and Mrs. Primroſe

moved not a feature, the Major and his lady

were viſibly agitated, her Ladyſhip ſmiled,
yet knew-not why, Sir Joſeph was confuſed
though ignorant of his ſon's baſeneſs, and cried

What the devil ails us all? Glanville and Joſiah

in ſerious debate were yet ſo abſent, that
though the one loſt conſiderably on one fide
of the argument, nothing was gained on the

other: Fanny was ſtraining her eyes to catch

the firſt glance of ſhe knew not what, while
Herbert, the volatile Herbert, by ſome ſtrange
propenſity, could with difficulty ſuppreſs a
burſt of laughter, until he threw lis eye on

Joſeph

MADELINE. 173

Joſeph Cleveland, when his riſibility yielded
to the innate goodneſs of his heart, and con-
verted every feeling into pity; guilt in its
ſecureſt ſtate has a thouſand fears, Captain
Cleveland's look expreſſed a ſomething, be-
tween the dread of detection, and the hope
of ſecurity; he tried to ſmile, it turned into a
convulſed motion, and left a horror on his
features; he would have ſpoke, but the ſound
of feet prevented, when in a minute Martha
and Jarvis appeared, introducing the groom,
Mary, and the young recruit. The pen of
Shakeſpear, the pencil of Hogarth might
convey an idea of the ſcene, my powers fail; a
profound ſilence was interrupted by her Lady-
ſhip aſking, with diſdain, who the wench and
fellows were, ſt op there cried Sir Joſeph, ſuch
perfect mechanics have not forgot to give them
tongues, if you have loſt your credit for inven-
tion ladies, ſtill your execution is indeed com-
pleat, faith Captain, addreſling his fon, you
have either carried this jeſt too far, or not far
enough.“

Sir Joſeph Cleveland was a libertine from
13 nature,

nature, and his Lady's conduct had not tend-
ed to reform him, he would laugh at ſeduc-

tion, but ſcorned a lie; © what I dare do,”
he would fay, I dare juſtify,” or what

amounted in his idea to juſtification, he would
draw a trigger with any man who preſumed
to impeach his honor; his ſon never had there-

fore appeared in his eyes ſo contemptible. Jar-

vis and his party were ordered to retire, and
the Major feeling for the confuſion of the cul-
prit, with a firm yet compaſſionating voice,
told him, that he frankly forgave the indig-
nity he had offered his daughters, by render-
ing their truth ſuſpected ; © profit then young
man, added he, taking his hand, ſon of my
friend, profit by your preſent confuſion, let
this circumſtance teach you, that though
guilt, diſhonor or treachery may triumph for
a time, impending ſhame and merited con-
tempt will fall when leaſt expected: had not
ſucceſs lulled you into fancied ſecurity, and
induced you to glory in your crime, you had
eſcaped this expoſure ; but recover yourſelf,
and

MADELINE. 175
and be perſuaded, you may turn it to your ad-

vantage; let it awakenyourreflection, and cor-
rect a heart corrupted and buried in the vor-
tex of diſſipation; be adviſed my young friend,
and take truth for your guide, you will ever
find it anſwer all the purpoſes of a man of
honor, fear not the preſent company, they
will rejoice to behold the triumph of virtue
over paſſion, — prepare to receive your friend-
ſhip, and welcome your return from the paths
of error.“ Loſt, unheard was the Major's
addreſs by the culprit, motionleſs he remained,
while rage, ſhame, pride and revenge were
ſtrongly depicted in his pale face, and diſtort-
ed every feature ; his heart was torn with all
the diſtrafting paſſions, which wring a vin-
dictive nature, when detected in its guilt, and
diſappointed of its hopes, he was plunged in
temporary frenzy, and deprived of utterance,
but when reaſon for a moment burſt upon his
ſoul ; his diſgrace, crimes, and humbled con-
dition, —humbled by detected guilt flaſhed on
his mind, and overwhelming himwith horror,
he ſtarted from his ſeat, clenched his hands,

I 4 and.

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196 MADELINE.

and with a voice choaking with rage, cried,
ce infernal furies give me but revenge! and
ſink me deeper down your gulph of hell,”
fled from their preſence with amazing celeri-
ty. Lady Cleveland declared the whole af-
fair was incomprehenſible, adding, with a
taunting air, the Miſs Montgomerys had very
early commenced the champions of virtue,

wiſhed ſincerely they might derive honor from

their guardianſhip, but that we frequently
found, in our anxiety to promote the welfare of

others we neglected our own; the inference

was too contemptible to merit a reply, and the
entrance of the good Alworthy gave a happy
relief to the party. Sir Joſeph appeared
viſibly diſtreſſed, and perfectly abſent to ſur-
rounding objects, but as if recovering from
inward debate, exclaimed, every thing con-
ſidered, perhaps it little matters; the gueſts
ſoon departed, harmony was broke, and un-
eaſy reflection ſpread a gloom through the
whole. |

Though our friends at the Caſtle found in
their

MADELINE. 177

their domeſtic circle, that approvation a rec-
titude of conduct will ever afford, though

alas ! not inſure the contentment it fo amply

deſerves; the worthy Major appeared diſ-
pirited, his charming wife was indiſpoſed, and
conſequently heavineſs hung on every heart.
Ina very few days, a card was delivered to Mrs.
Montgomery, with“ Lady Cleveland's kind
regards, entreats her company for a few hours,
alſo deſires Mr. Herbert and Fanny may at-

tend, is rather ſurpriſed they did not return.

laſt night, as Lady * laid her com-
mands on Frances.“

My poor favorite has eloped at laſt! ex-
claimed Mrs. Montgomery throwing down
the card; the Major was affected, Madeline
wept though ſhe could expreſs no ſurpriſe,
Ellen refoiced that ſhe had releaſed herſelf

from the tyranny of ſuch a mother and ſiſter,
declaring Herbert was an agreeable fellow;
and has as worthy a heart as ever beat, added

Glanville, though I fear too flighty and vola-

ule to be domeſtic ; I fear your gentle friend.
I > ; | will.

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178 MADELINE.

will be miſtaken, and find him too much at-

tached to faſhionable follies, to receive that

pleaſure, from domeſtic retirement, ſo neceſ-
ſary to conjugal felicity; but he is young and
loves Fanny, and if any thing can give his
mind the proper bias, it will be the ſweetneſs
of temper and amiableneſs of manners, which

have ever diſtinguiſhed his fair bride.”

I would gladly be excuſed my viſit, ſaid
Mrs. Montgomery, but at ſuch a time it
would be deemed unkind; dear Mr. Glanville
accompany me. I proteſt, interrupted Ellen,
I wiſh you would allow me to attend you, I
ſhould fo enjoy the mortification of Miſs, and
fury of Madam; Ellen, replied her mother,
I am diſpleaſed that you indulge ſuch an un-
amiable propenſity to reſentment, to which
I hoped your education would have made you
ſuperior. © My deareſt Madam excuſe me,
if a worm ſuffered I would feel, and in the
words of Lord Townly, © an error renounced
is inſtantly. forgiven,” but have you not taught
us, that an indiſcriminating pardon to unre-

pented

MADELINE, 179

pented guilt, is not mercy, but weakneſs ?
and has Martha Cleveland ever felt the faint-
eſt remorſe, for her perſevering ill nature to
a deſerving ſiſter? or has Lady Cleveland
ever been a mother to the only one who ever
merited her tenderneſs ?'* Another time, my
Ellen, I will endeavour to teach you, that
however you ought to diſcriminate, an ami-
able nature will never deſcend to recriminate.
Attended by Captain Glanville ſhe thendrove
for Howard Place,

130 MADELINE,

'CHAP. VIII

M* S. Montgomery found her Ladyſhip
in violent agitation, and Miſs with her
cheeks and eyes ſwelled with weeping, © good
morning, Mrs. Montgomery, cried Lady
Cleveland with quickneſs, where is that bad
girl, your favorite? ah I thought indulgence
would be her ruin, but I will confine her
from the light of day, puniſh her till ſhe
hates exiſtence ; read there what my darling
dutiful Martha found in the ſummer-houſe,
and vindicate the viper if you can, for ſup-
planting a ſiſter: ſhe then threw an unfolded

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MADELINE. ror

paper on the table, containing the following
words. 8

ce I acquieſce, too dear Herbert ! the unre-
lenting ſeverity of my mother, and the un-
kindneſs of my ſiſter, added to my own weak -
neſs, and affectionate regard for you, devote
me to your wiſhes without a parent's leave.
Oh ! let the future vindicate that unbounded
confidence repoſed in your honor; let your
tenderneſs juſtify my love, while your merit
ſecures me from repentance. I ſhall go to
Montgomery Caſtle to-morrow, at the deſtin-
ed ſpot you may meet me, heaven forgive my
error ! you muſt pity it, for I have yielded
my reaſon to your perſuaſion, yet, yet reſ-
pect the bankrupt you have made, I have no-
plea to offer, but a heart that beats but to
oblige you, Adieu regarded Herbert,

Yours,
FRANCES,

Perceiving Mrs. Montgomery lay the
paper in ſilence on the table, Lady Cleve-
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132 MADE LINE.

land cried © where is the wretch ?” be calm

Madam, I have not ſeen her ſince you dined
at the Caſtle ; as we diſſent ſo widely in ſen-
timent, and differ in our mode of treating
youth, you will not be ſurpriſed that I think
your own ſeverity, has precipitated your child
to the imprudent ſtep ſhe has taken ; but as I
have been informed, the gentleman was en-
couraged to hope for the hand of one ſiſter, -
he has offered no diſreſpect to the family, by
his own happineſs having directed him to pre-
fer the other; Miſs Cleveland I have no doubt
will plead in their favor, and a few days will
I hope reſtore them to the happineſs of your
maternal embrace, to err is human,” my
dear Madam, to forgive, divine.” I had a
faint hope, replied her Ladyſhip, foaming
with rage, that the diſgraced wretch was at
your Caſtle, but fince ſhe has eloped with
that diſſembling villain, who under pretence
of addreſſing my child, ſecured a welcome in.
my family to carry her off; I pray, continu-
ed the unnatural mother, that the heavieſt
vengeance of heaven may follow her, may ſhe

| know

know only miſery on earth, and the rigor of
a mother's bittereſt curſe attend her here,
and—” Oh! ſtop, relentleſs woman! cried
Mrs. Montgomery, who had been ſtruck
ſpeechleſs by her imprecations; © ſtay thy
vengeance, thy bitter tongue, and oh! may
heaven deny thy prayer! and in averting the
unnatural malediction, ſpare thine own boſom
remorſe in a dying hour. © Stop me not
thou encourager, thou abettor of her guilt !
may God refuſe me mercy when I moſt ſhall
need it, if I deny it not to her; if creeping,
dying at my feet, if fainting for want, I would
not refuſe a morſel to ſooth her lateſt gaſp.”
« When you deſired my preſence here
Madam, replied Mrs. Montgomery, had you
confined your inſult to your mean ſuſpicions,
I had pardoned it, but when you forget the
mother, the friend, nay the woman, and
ſhock my ears with ſounds, that only would
become the lips of demons, I will pare my-
ſelf the repetition of your fury, and take a
laſting leave, I came to offer comfort, but
ſhall return perfectly ſatisfied that your vio-

2 lence

184 MADELINE.

lence will ſupport you, and render my inter-
polition unneceſſary. Miis Cleveland, pre-
ſent my remembrance to Sir Joſeph and
your ſiſter, I cannot expect the favor of your
company in future, yet accept the aſſurance
of my beſt wiſhes ; riſing with compoſure ſhe
then retired, attended by Glanville, who in
bowing profoundly, ſaid, © Ladies! farewell!
for ever! in their return he regretted the
ſhock her delicate mind had received from
his termagant relation. Dear Mr. Glanville
replied ſhe, ceaſe to apologize; I feel for my
lovely Fanny, but her mother's depravity
affects me not, I never loved her, my heart
always refuſed her its ſuffrage, her conduct
never had my approbation, and to-day hav-
ing diſcovered her long concealed malignity,
ſhe excites my abhorrence ; the woman who
could ſo far forget the mother and the chriſ-
tian, as to imprecate ſuch curſes on a daugh-
ter, driven to ner fate, is only a companion
fit for the inhabitants of thoſe 1egions, where
ſuch fury has its full ſcope for ever. Poor
Frances! ah, continued ſhe, could theſe arms
| receive,

MADELINE, 183

receive thee, recompenſe thee for a mother's
loſs; but I fear ſhe will avoid me; ſweet girl,
may Herbert be ſenſible of the treaſure he poſ-
ſeſſes ! and make her as happy as ſhe merits!
and her confidence in him prove well placed,
and never forgotten! Glanville aſpirated the
fame prayers.

By the time they reached the Caſtle, Mrs.

Montgomery was tolerably compoſed, but
gave 2 very ſlight account of the fracas, adding
ſhe could not much regret if the intercourſe
with the family drew near a concluſion, as it
had been painful of late, and diſturbed their
tranquillity. It has indeed, replied the Major;
did you ſee Sir Joſeph ? No, nor even heard
of him; her huſband ſighed, which ſhe inter-
preting as regret for what had happened,
taking him foridly by the hand, declared, that
rather than interrupt his long friendſhip with
the baronet ſhe would preſerve an appearance
of civility with the family, for indeed, added
ſhe, © he poſſeſſes many good traits, though
too much under the dominion of his paſſions;
had

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had he been united to a woman with prudence,
and a tender attachment to his happineſs and

intereſt, by giving him a cheerful reſpectable

home, and the endearing pleafures of domeſ-
tic life, enlivened by thoſe elegancies his for-
tune could afford, ſhe might have gradually led
him from folly ; then he had proved the kind

huſband, affectionate father, good friend and

worthy man; the ſeeds of virtue, we experi-
enced, were implanted inhis nature, and only
required a gentle foſtering hand to bring them
to perfection; but unfortunately his extrava-
gance made it neceſſary, to graſp at the money
without conſidering the woman, and behold
the fatal effects, himſelf unhappy and unre-
garded, his family wretched and unreſpected,
no benevolent act marks the expenditure of
his wealth, and the retroſpect is embittered

by their once immenſe poſſeſſions being ſquan-

dered amongſt thoſe, who will be the firſt to
reproach his folly; and reprobate his extra-

vagance ; poor Sir Joſeph! he deſerved a

better fate, than being the victim of a violent
imperious woman, who knowing no guide
| but

MADELINE. 197

but her own paſſions, encourages the deſtruc-
tive pleaſures to which he is addicted, and haſ-
tens the ruin that impends; ruin ! my dear,
interrupted the Major warmly, ruin! ſurely
you go too far, his fortune is ſtill immenſe,
I know not its extent my love, but what
can ſupport deep gambling in the ſon, and
very hazardous ſpeculation in the father; and
I fear added Glanville, his ſpeculations are
unſucceſsful—Speculate ! repeated the Major,
ſpeculate ! Sir Joſeph Cleveland ſpeculate, I
hope not, he is purchaſing lands; mortga-
ging you mean, ſaid Mrs. Montgomery, not
obſerving his alarm; * to ſhine a little longer,
her Ladyſhip reſigned her ſettlement, totally
careleſs of her children, though ſhe firmly re-
fuſes her own jointer;” this information which
ſhe received from Fanny, the Major heard
ot; he had retired, with a diſquietude re-
marked by Glanville, though unnoticed by
his wife, Glanville threw his eyes upon her and
eſſayed to ſpeak, his mind was full, but the
words ſinking in a figh, the lilence remained

unbroken,
Miriam

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438 MADELINE.

Miriam and Joſiah joined them at dinner,
peace diffuſed her baimy influence, and all
was apparent tranquillity, I fay apparent, be-
cauſe the Major's breaſt confined a ſecret,
which he ſtruggled hard torepoſe in the boſom
of his wife. At the deſert, the fugitive Fanny
furniſhed converſation, „ ſweet girl! ex-
claimed Madeline, with affectionate warmth,
which of us dare ſay, in her circumſtances, we
ſhould nat have yielded to the fame tempta-
tion ? ſurely the ſenſible and generous, if they
cannot approve, will yet excuſe hgr,” and
the ſpirited applaud her cried Ellen, may ſhe
be ever happy! and never feel the regret of a
moment! added Miriam feelingly; indeed ſhe
deſerves felicity, ſaid Glanyille, I hope her
father will be juſt, and not be biaſed by her
mother ; he will be juſt I doubt not, rejoined
the Major, and reſign her portion to Herbert.
Every tongue was mute, every eye caſt down;
what amiable ſenſibility ſhe poſſeſſed, faid
Joſiah, © ſenſibility, replied Mrs. Montgo-
mery, looking at Miriam ſeated oppoſite, in
a well regulated mind, is indeed an amiable

trait

MADELINE. 19

trait in the female character, but if allowed

unlimited indulgence it degenerates to paſſion,

under the influence of paſſion we ſtray from
duty, and imperceptibly ſink to guilt, guilt
leads to ruin, and devotes us to deſtruction.”
Amiable as it is, replied Miriam, thee haſt re-
duced it to a crime; © No, my child, under
proper reſtrictions, it humanizes our nature;
proper reſtrictions! repeated ſhe, colouring
conſciouſly, proper reſtriftions ! alas who
can ſay, © ſo far ſhalt thee lead me, and no
farther ;” upon the whole, interrupted Glan-
ville, Fanny muſt be approved ; I know not
that, returned Miriam, quickly, and we muſt
profit by her experience ; the lover appear-

ed diſconcerted, and a viſit to the aſylum be-

ing propoſed they aroſe from table. Madeline
beheld with pleaſure her favorite Joſiah re-
covering his ſerenity, his eyes expreſſed the
ſofteſt languor, his lips the accents of the
kindeſt friend ; his delicate obſervance of her
deſire, his unaſſuming paſſion and filent ten-
derneſs, while it raiſed her admiration and
eſteem, ſhe wondered at her own averſion to

5 become

190 MADELINE.

become the wife of one, whom her reaſon
approved as a man, and her heart loved as a
brother. I muſt be incapable of a warmer
ſentiment ſhe would ſay, what I do feel, be
then confeſſed, exempt as I am from. thoſe
painful ſenſations which often miſlead the un-
derſtanding, accept, my Joſiah, all my heart
can give, a perfect confidence, and chaſte
eſteem; her returning ſweetneſs, her unre-

ſerved freedom and kind manner, effected

that compoſure in her admiring friend, which
ſhe ſo much rejoiced to perceive.

MADELINE. 197

CHAP. IX.

Few days after Fanny's elopement,

Captain Glanville paida viſit to Howard

Place to remove ſome things; her Ladyſhip
was cold and diſtant, Miſs Cleveland haughty,
Charlotte as uſual indiſpoſed, but perfectly
complaiſant; Sir Joſeph's travelling carriage
waited to convey him to London on very mo-
mentous concerns; he informed Glanville he
had a letter from Fanny, ſigned Herbert, and
that they were at a little village a few miles
from town; will you not ſee her? aſked Glan-
ville, her gentle nature will ill ſupport the

| diſ-

19 MADELINE.

diſpleaſure of her father, mother ſhe never
knew, but by the rigid manner in which ſhe
was treated; pardon her, dear Sir Joſeph, ſeve-
rity more than an erring diſpoſition, induced her
to forſake her duty and her home, a home ren-
dered inſupportable; © tis unpleaſant enough
by G-,“ replied the Baronet; “as to par-
don ſhe has it, and if a bleſſing, unattended by
More ſubſtantial goods, will be acceptable
ſhe ſhall have thatalſo.” You will not with-
hold her fortune, Sir Joſeph ? his eyes wan-
dered, his voice faltered, © avoid the theme
he cried, the hour 1s paſt, the day of grace
is cloſed, and retribution comes with venge-
ance on a devoted wretch : Oh! ſtriking his
head, oh could I fall alone ! but virtue, worth,
and unſuſpecting friendſhip, ſink, and drive
me deeper down the precipice of guilt, while
torturing conſcience whirls me to deſpair.”
A generous pity ſwelled the eye of Glanville,
ſtay Sir Joſeph he cried let me attend you, —
liſten to reaſon—leta friend advite—aſliſt you,
exert yourſelf, —you are a man,—*< and a bad
one Glanville, interrupted he, but no more,

ON

MADELINE. 193

on my return I ſhall be at your diſpoſal, you
ſhall guide and help me to arrange my affairs,
which are rather embarraſſed, but they may
be better than I hope; till you ſee me again
adieu! Saying theſe words rather more calmly,
he threw himſelf into his carriage, and Glan-
ville returned to the Caſtle.

Shocked, ſurpriſed and buried in dreadful
expectation of coming evils, he mentioned
nothing, but that Sir Joſeph had received a
letter from Mrs. Herbert, his journey to
town, and that he reſolved to forgive and
bleſs her before his return,

Glanville had made a long viſit at Mont-
gomery Caſtle, yet found it impoſſible to tear

himſelf from a ſpot, which contained all that

was dear and valuable to his heart, his paſſion
increaſed hourly, and every interview with
Miriam raiſed his admiration of her virtues,
while with -his friends he experienced the
pleaſures ariſing, from an amiable and reſpec-
table ſociety, The univerſal philanthropy

VOL, 1. K . of

5 - 4 an © 8
—— — — —— — — - ——_ — —

194 MADELINE.

of the Major, tue diſtinguiſhed worth of his
lady, and the gentle graces of the daughters,
with their endearing manners to each other
and ſurrounding friends, convinced him thoſe
deſcriptions of love, friendſhip and benevo-
lence, which had often pleaſed his enraptured
fancy were ſomething more than pictures,
drawn by an enthuſtaſtic imagination, their
reality gratified the finer feelings, and he was
happy to diſcover, virtue was more than idea ;
that amongſt a favored few, ſhe held her reſi-
dence on earth, gladdening the preſent ſcene,
and by exalting the foul prepare it for a ſtate

ſuperior.

Not having ſeen Miriam for two days, (in
hopes of meeting her in a grove, about half
a mile from her father's, where ſhe frequent-
ly retired,) one evening he left the Caſtle,
and croſſing a chineſe bridge which led to the
Valley, he found. himſelf in a wood that bound-
ed Mr. Primroſe's gardens, the ſhades of
night- were ſurrounding him, and the moon
burſting from a cloud in all her ſilent majeſty,

the

MADELINE, 195

the plaintive philomel was trilling her evening
ſong, from an adjoining thicket, and diffuſed
a reflecting melancholy over his mind, which is
the © nurſe of wiſdom,” as he advanced
through the trees, in a little ruſtic temple
which ſtood on elevated ground, he perceived
a glimmering light: It might be Miriam, the
thought quickened his ſteps, and brought him
to the building, the light had diſappeared,
all was ſilent fave the murmuring voice of
nature, which ſtole in whiſpers through the
gloomy wood, ſeating himſelf at the foot of a
lofty tree, enjoying the mild languor of the
ſurrounding ſcene in all the luxury of thought
and pride of ſentiment, a ſhriek rouſed his at-
tention, he ſtarted, again ſilence pervaded all,
it might be the ſcreech owl, but a hollow
groan ſucceeded, and voices from behind the
temple made him haſten to the ſpot ; he be-
held a figure extended on the earth, with a
man's foot ſtamping on it, a blow was aimed
at the fainting victim, which Glanville re- ,
ceived on his ſhoulder, another aſſaſſin raiſing
his arm had laid hiſh with the dead, but draw-

K 2 | ing

196 MADELINE.

Inga ſmall word from a ſtick he uſually carried,
* parried the blow and plunged the weapon
into the villain's breaſt; he fell, —his accom-
plice inſtantly quitted the object of his venge-
ance, raiſed him in his arms, and bore him
from the ſcene of murder. Glanville knelt
by the unfortunate unknown; but heavy, as if
the hand of death had been upon him, with
pain he raiſed him, his own weakened arm
unable to ſupport the weight, it ſunk again
to the earth motionleſs, he felt the blood
ſtreaming from the temples of the victim; had
bound up the wound with his handkerchief,
and was wiping the blood from his own hands,
when the moon retiring behind a cloud, left
them in total darkneſs. God of heaven |! ex-
claimed Glanville, how can I procureaid ? to
leave the ſtranger, ifyet a ſpark of life remains,
might again expoſe him to the fury of his
aſſaſſins; a faint reſpiration indicating return-
ing ſenſe, he raiſed him a little forward, he
effayed to utter, but the words ſunk in undiſ-
tingviſned ſounds, his pulſe beat languid, his

heart palpitated feebly, and at length, in a
voice

voice ſcarce audible, he faid, oh! whither
am I, whither is Joſiah ? Joſiah! repeated
Glanville in agony, oh God of mercy, my
friend, the brother of my Miriam, I will die
to ſave thee; the moon now ſhone with re-
doubled brightneſs, and reflecting a paler
ſhade over the nearly lifeleſs features of Joſiah,
almoſt reduced his preſerver to inſenſibility;
the pain of his arm from continued motion, had
become exceſſive, but forgetting it in his care
of Joſiah, with one violent exertion he raiſed
him, receiving the full preſure of his weight
upon his breaſt, with one arm he ſupported his
enſeebled ſorm; and with lingering ſteps ſouglit
the winding path that led to the manſion of
Mr. Primroſe ; tedious was the journey, but
the ſweet hope of having reſcued the brother
of the worſhipped Miriam, ſupported the
generous Glanville beneath his burthen, “ thee
haſt ſaved me, cried the grateful Joſiah, as
they leaned againſt a tree for a little reſt,
ce thee haſt ſaved me, Miriam will thank
thee,” lights in the windows at lengch cheer-
ed their long expecting ſight, they reached
K 3 the

198 MADELINE,

the gates, when a few more ſteps and they
mult have drop'd, they entered the court,
nature was almoſt worn out when Glanville,
ftruggling with pain, faintneſs and the in-
creaſed weight of Joſiah, gained the door;
it was opened, when he was totally exhauſted,
claſped in each others arms they fell in the
hall. The family had waited ſupper for Joſiah,
his abſcence had occaſioned painful anxiety,
and the opening door bringing Miriam to
the hall, where ſhe beheld the two beings

deareſt to her heart, pale, covered with blood,
and, as ſhe ſuppoſed, lifeleſs, ſtaggering and
gaſping for breath, ſhe ſhrieked, © my mur-
dered Glanville ! my loſt Joſiah ! and fainted
at a little diſtance from the wounded pair; her
| ſcream had alarmed her parents, they flew to
the ſcene of horror, the father leancd againſt
the wall and remained ſpeechleſs and immov-
able, the mother with compoſed reſignation,
ordered the attendants to bear her ſon, and his
friend to the parlour ſofa. A ſurgeon was
ſent for, reſtoratives applied, and they ſoon
recovered ſenſe and ſpeech. Joſiah's wounds
were

MADE LINE. 199

were pronounced neither dangerous not mor-
tal, Glanville's ſhoulder was diſlocated, and
ſymptoms of a fever appearing in both, quiet-
nefs and care were earneſtly recommended;
every attention was paid to Glanville that his
fituation demanded, the ſtate of the gentle
Miriam bordered on diſtraction, but when
aſſured there was no immediate danger, ſhe
divided her ſofteſt care between them; with
agony inexpreſſible ſhe liſtened to the beloved
voice of Glanville, during his delirium, cal-
ling on her to ſoften his pain ; to ſooth the
hour of diſſolution and ſhed a tear to his me-
mory ; ſhe then would fly wildly from his pre-
ſence, reſt her beating head on the walls, and
cry © oh God ! accept a wretch like me, and
ſpare my Glanville,

In her brother's room ſhe heard the accents
of pious reſignation falling from his lips; and
when he viewed her pale languid face, her
weeping eyes, and heard her deſpairing com-
plaints, would preſs her cold hand to his
boſom, and cry, © would I might reward my
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200 MADELINE,

preſerver with my beloved Miriam!” During
theſe diſtreſſes at the Valley, the Major's
family offered every conſolation; Madeline
and Ellen mourned their Joſiah and generous
Glanville, and wept on the ſympathizing
boſom of their mother, until both were de-
clared out of danger.

Joſiah could give little information of the
accident; I had retired, ſaid he, with a
book to the ruſtic temple, and was reading
by a light which I carried, when the noiſe
of voices induced me to deſcend; being
aſked © who is there?“ I replied, who doſt
thee want? another exclaimed, © tis he, de-
lay not; I was then ſeized, and receiving a
blow upon my head, inſenſibility enſued ; on
recovering, I found myſelf in the arms of my
generous brave defender.” Madeline turned
extremely ſick, and Ellen attended her to the
air, while Miriam, forgetting the preſence of
her father, exclaimed, © and has My Glanville
faved a brother's life! ſhe ſtarted at the diſ-
covery of her affection, and while every eye

gazed

MADELINE, 201

gazed on her with wonder, bluſhing ſhe left
the room ; Glanville related the remainder of
Joſiah's ſtory, and from the thanks of the
father, and kneeling bleſſings of the mother,
received all, but what the hand of Miriam
could alone beſtow. * Oh! cried the trembling
Madeline, when beyond the hearing of all bur
Ellen, „that baſe Cleveland would have
murdered the unoffending Joſiah; be calm

my lifter, replied Ellen, that he was the aſſaſ-

{in admits not a doubt, and heaven in its own
wiſe time will bring him to condign puniſh-
ment.

Glanville had perfectly recovered, but an
exceſlive weakneſs and ſpitting of blood, occa-
ſioned by the violent blow on his ſtomach, ſtill
afflicted Joſiah, and for which the phyſicians
ordered a ſea voyage, and change of climate.
To thoſe meaſures he was totally averſe, but
the deſpair of his mother, and the commands
of his father, who wiſhed him removed from
the faſcinating Madeline, at length prevailed,
and his father receiving letters from Philadel-

K 5 phia,

202 MADE LINE.

phia, where he had immenſe property, that
required the preſence of a confidential friend,
he conſented to embark in a few weeks. Mi-
riam often folded him in her arms, crying
ce we ſhall never meet, Miriam is doomed to
ſuffer, thy weak ſiſter, unaided by thy coun-
ſels, can never ſupport the unequal conflict
between duty and affection. Ah, Joſiah, why
did Miriam love ! why did the noble Glan-
ville ſave her brother! in vain would he, tn
the language of angels, tell her of her faith,
obedience to parents, the bleſſings that at-
tend it, the pleafures of friendſhip, and de-
' ſcribe the illuſions of paſſion ; while he ſpoke,
his features, true to the feelings of his heart,
denicd the weak reſtraint; and conſcious, how

r argument is when oppoſed to the wiſhes
of an attached heart, with one thought of
Madeline, of parting with her perhaps Yor
ever, would put his whole reaſoning to flight,
his fortitude would fail, and returning her
embrace they would mutualiy lament the
ſimilarity of that deſtiny which made them
both wretched ; anxious for the peace of a
| | _ beloved

MADELINE. 20g

beloved ſiſter, he took an opportunity, when
his parents hearts were ſoftened with the idea
of his departure, to hint, that all their wealth
could not procure felicity to their children,
and when their gratitude to Glanville was
raiſed to the higheſt pitch, entreated they
would make Miriam happy, and reward his
preſerver with her hand; from his mother he
feared no refuſal, but the diſappointment Ma-
deline had given to the hopes of his father,
increaſed the natural reſerve and bigotry of
his diſpoſition, and rendered the ſons and
daughters of diſſipation, as he termed all be-
yond his own pale, yet more offenſive ; © con-
ſider, oh my father ! cried Joſiah, that the
grave may receive thy ſon; that thy daughter,
the daughter whom thy ſoul loveth, 1s droop-
ing, like a fair flower nipped by untimely
froſt; liſten then to thy Joſiah; think he
fpeaks from his lowly grave, and prays thee to
preſerve thy Miriam, to ſooth thy cloſing ſcence
of life ; give her to Glanville, his principles
are great and good; with him the faith of Mi-
tiam will be ſecure, in retirement thee will ſtill

K 6 behold

204 MADELINE,

behold her perſevering in that modeſt ſimpli-
city of life, thee deemeſt the moſt unerring ;
ce behold thy ſona victim to thy will, ſpare then
thy daughter, and deſcend not childleſs to the
duſt.” „Oh! Joſiah Primroſe, interrupt-
ed the agonized mother, falling at her huſ-
band's feet, © I pray thee, by that God we
ſerve, to bereave me not of my children! thee
| ſhalt not leave me, oh my ſon! a little longer,
yea, a little longer, and the ſtruggle will be
over, thy mother's conflicts will ceaſe, and
thee wilt cloſe her weary eyes, thee wilt lay her
in the grave to reſt ; then Miriam thee mayeſt
follow. Ah my huſband, tis not religion
movethrhee, no, her voice is mild and ſweet; it
is notheaven, for it delightethin mercy, feeleth
the infirmities of human nature, and feeling,
pitieth them, tis thee, obdurate, that robs me of
my children; but oh, Joſiah ! whenthy wife lies
cold within the earth, and thy fon far from thine
arms, in bitterneſs of heart thee will hate, yea,
hate thine own exiſtence, and in deep remorſe
cloſe thine eyes in death. Unmoved as is
the mountain's baſe, remained the ſtern Qua-
ker;

MADELINE. 205

ker; turning to his ſon, he cried © young man
avoid my ſight, I may loſe thee, but will not
loſe my God, thee canſt never ſhake my firm-

neſs, thee mayeſt fall—but—my faith ſhall .

ſtand ſecure ; how dareſt thee ſhock my nature,
with the hint o 1a ſon of vanity wedding with
the damſel thy ſiſter? he is good, added he,
recollecting, but let me hear no more, for as
the Lord liveth, and as my ſoul liveth, the
hour that maketh thee a huſband, or that
maiden a wife to one beyond our pale, the
bittereſt, but I curſe not; no, that I leave to
thy mother, a mother half apoſtate ; but the
God of light will puniſh through the weary
days of life, and in the moment of approach-
ing death, thunder in the guilty ears a dying
father's groans : periſh! periſh ! added he,
his compoſure being loſt in the fury of miſ-
taken zeal, periſh that apoſtate to faith, that
tries again to move the ſettled purpoſe of my
ſoul, to ſhake my firmneſs, offer oppoſition
to my will, or dares to diſobey me.” The
unhappy mother retired, appalled at the unre-
lenting violence of her huſband ; the mild, the
patient Joſiah loft the remembrance of his

own

296 MADELINE,

own deſtroyed peace, and diſappointed hopes,
(tor he doubted not the compliance of his vir
tuous Madeline, had the barrier of different
faith been removed) in pity for his ſiſter's
miſery, for the unuſual violence, the inflexi-
ble ſeverity of his facher, rendered him hope-
leſs of moving him, even had he riot prohi-
bited the attempt, by the firſt imprecation
that perhaps ever eſcaped the lips of one be-
longing to the meek community; © firmneſs !
cried he, as he quitted his father to ſeek Mi-
riam, firmneſs! alas how is the term per-
verted! I fear, I feel, my father is a bigot !
Oh! ſource of Being! Univerſal God! all
nature's glorious light! vouchſafe one clicer-
ing ray! and let thine all pervading ſpirit
illumine the benighted mind of man! who
dares to circumſcribe thy wonderous goodneſs,
thy unbounded mercy, to a ſcanty few ! Oh!
time be ſwift,” added the enrapt youth, and
dawn auſpicious morning with the light that
ne'er ſhall fade! when earth ſhall be diſſolv-
ed, © the mountains melt away,” the chain
of being broken, diſtinction loſt, . and glad
Creation 1n one general voice, without thoſe

forms

MADELINE. 207

forms which dim devotion ſhall hail, and
praiſe thine excellence to never ending ages!“
on entering the adjoining room he diſcovered
his ſiſter pale and breathleſs, ſupporting her
. agitated frame againſt a pillar of the virando;
taking her kindly in his arms, he whiſpered,
« be comforted my Miriam, I am thy brother,
and will ne'er forſake thee ; ſhe retreated a
ſtep to learn if poſſible from his look, the
perfect meaning of his words, again ſhe hung
her head, ſaying, © beloved Joſiah, I am be-
neath the reach of comfort, either way poor
Miriam 1s loſt ; I heard thy generous plead-
ing, that doth teach me what I have to ſuffer,
oh! I behold a lengthened line of ſorrow, fad
wiſhing hours for a forbidden fate, cold un-
profitable prayers, alas! enforced devotion
to a faith, that dooms my youth to bitterneſs,
and blights my guiltleſs hopes, will never
lead the heart of Miriam to heaven, to forſake
it, my father's words ſtill vibrate on my ear,
e puniſhment through out the weary days of
life, his groans to thunder in the dying hour;
Glanville ! Glanville ! fare thee weil! and
ſtrengthen, mighty God ! the efforts of thy
feeble

208 MADELINE.

feeble creature, ſpeed thee my Joſiah to thy
preſerver, tell him, her voice faltered, —tell
him my morning prayers, my evening ſighs
ſhall be for him, and that his virtues may be
matched with one more fortunate, more bleſſed
than poor Miriam! yet in my breaſt his form
ſhall ever dwell, when comfortleſs it ſhall
" Cheer me; in ſickneſs, cheriſh me, and in
death ſupport me, his worth ſhall be my imi-
tation, and his love my only pride; give him
this ſenſeleſs picture of thy ſiſter ; it is the laſt
look he ever can have of Miriam, tell him
that I ſhall try to lead the life on earth, that
will unite us in a better world. Various were
the brother's emotions while ſhe ſpoke ; often
the tie of duty had nearly yielded to the peace
of a beloved ſiſter, and the wiſhes of a gene-
rous friend, when the remembered Maledic-
tion of his father ſhook his frame, that thought
he is ſomething more than form, it falls as
ſurely on the guilty head, as doth the bleſſing
on the filial heart; duty to parents heaven it-
ſelf applauds, tis never forgotten, never un-
rewarded, it meets the ſweeteſt recompenſe
on earth, and retribution in the world to come.

f Turning

MADELINE. 209

Turning to his ſiſter, he replied, my ſweet
Miriam, hapleſs as we are, “that kind power
who from a ſeeming evil ſtill educes good,”
will ſupport us, and when leaſt expected deal
out comfort; © he gave us being to be bleſ-
ſed,” and when we ſacrifice our deareſt wiſhes
to obedience we deſerve it; come then my
ſiſter, let me lead thee to the Caſtle, there in
the boſom of friendſhip thee wilt find fatis-
faction; in the ſmiles of Madeline, peace;
compare thy ſtate unto Joſiah's, wanderingfar
from every comfort, no breaſt to repoſe his
cares in, no heart to feel them, nor no friend
to ſooth them; and ſayeſt thee that my brother,
her fair face covered with tears to give me
peace? is not thy abſence my regret, thy
ſorrows mine ? © thee art all that is good and
lovely; come, I will conduct thee to thy
friends.” No, Joſiah, ſtruggling with her
wiſhes, Glanvilleiswith them, and loſt to me,
I pray thee go, my mother needs the little
comfort Miriam can offer, fare thee well !

CHAP,

219 MADELINE

CHAP. X.

FT OSIAH found his friend Glanville walk-
ing on the lawn, with an open letter, con-
taining an order to join his regiment in Ireland
immediately ; I mean to quit the army, faid
he to Joſiah, and could have wiſhed to delay
my journey a little longer; my peace, my
friend, depends upon your charming ſiſter,
whoſe religious opinions ſhall never feel reſ-
traint from me, ſatisfied that her heart is the
ſanctified abode of purity; it little matters in
what form ſhe worſhips heaven, or in what
robe ſhe dreſſes, © her lovelineſs needs not
the foreign aid of ornament,” your father,
though

MADELINE, 211

though ſevere is juſt, and though he may con-
fine perfection to his own community, will not
deny a ſhare of merit in a chriſtian who adores
the ſame God, though he offers his duty in a
different form; from your mother's liberality
of ſoul, I expect every thing good, your ſiſter
is worth itſelf in its ſweeteſt form, ſhe
ſcorns diſguiſe, I know her gentle wiſhes are
for Glanville; the matter, continued he, ſhall
reſt until my return, which will be I truſt in
a few weeks; friendſhip alſo demands my
preſence, for much 1 fear our noble friend
Montgomery, is iavolved in the dark ruin
that impends over Sir Joſeph Cleveland: for-
bid it gracious God! replied Joſiah, how
knowſt thee this; I do not know it, only fear
it, and may return in time to prevent him be-
ing a great ſufferer, as the Baronet promiſed
to accept my interference in arranging his
affairs, I muſt warn you to be filent, it may
only be my fears which aroſe from my regard
for the welfare of the family, and the Major's
agitation when Sir Joſeph's expected diſtreſs
is mentioned, but it may ſolely proceed nom

his attachment to ſuch an old and regarded
friend,

212 | MADELINE.
This a httle compoſed Joſiah, though it

was far from quieting his apprehenſions, as
gently as poſſible he related what paſſed in the
Valley, gave him her picture and entreated
he would not ſeek an interview previous to
his departure, he repeated her bleſſings, ten-
der confeſſions, and avowed conſtancy, im-
. plored him not to ſhake the virtuous reſolu-
tions ſhe had formed, but to wait until his re-
turn from Ireland, when, unrelenting as his
father appeared, my abſence may ſoſten his
heart; and when he beholds his ſuffering
child it may be moved in thy favor; © then
continued he, is thy time to apply; yet what
ever he may decree, be aſſured, oh Glanville,
to call thee brother I would give ſomething
dearer far than life, for life, the loſs of Ma-
deline hath rendered bitter; may one victim
then ſuffice my father's zeal, and Miriam yet
be chine! ſhould I return to theſe beloved
ſhades, and find thee huſband to my ſiſter,
comfortleſs and void as muſt ever be my own
boſom, it will ſhare thy peace; thy infants
- ſhall be mine, and in thy pleaſures I ſhall

' ſtrive

MADELINE, 213

ſtrive to forget my own ſorrows. I will be
guided by you, my deareſt Joſiah, replied
Glanville, and may heaven direct me to chuſe
a favoring hour for my application; you will
convey a letter to your charming ſiſter. And
now my friend let us ſeek the Major.

The intimation of Glanville's departure,

threw a gloom over the Caſtle, his faultleſs

conduct, and amiable manners, had made him
a friend in every boſom, and nothing but a
promiſe to live among them on his return,
could have afforded conſolation,

Aſter dinner he retired to addreſs his be-
loved Miriam, aſſured her of endleſs regard
and admiration, that he had conſulted with

their mutual friend, her amiable brother, and

agreed to defer his propoſals to her parents
until his return ; when he truſted nature would
plead, and that he ſhould receive her at the

altar from a father's hand, fold her to his

faithful boſom, and to the admiring friend
unite the tender huſband, Giving the letter to
Joſiah

—
— — ENT, FI I —

214 MADELINE.

Joſiah he took an affectionate leave of the
amiable inhabitants of Montgomery Caſtle ;
farewell my reſpected fir,” cried he, holding
the Mayor's hand, in leſs than three months
I hope to renew an attachment with your
charming family, which will ſweeten every
hour of future life, till then, dear Major,
heaven be our guide.” The departure of
ſo inſtruftive a companion and ſincere friend,
wrote regret in legible charecters on every
countenance; the Major wiped a tear from
his cheek, that did honor to his heart; Miriam
heard of her lovers having left the country,
with that ſad compoſure we ſhould feel, on
hearing the death of a friend, whom fate had
removed beyond our reach; © well, cried
ſhe, her boſom beating quick, well, I ſhall
meet him in a milder region, where no parent
can interrupt our guiltleſs love, where no
forms canimpede.our mutual bliſs, ſpeed then,
oh ye lingering hours, and lay me in the duſt!
but never let me hear of Glanville's death.
Various were her emotions on peruſing the
letter of her lover, hope, fear, difappoint-

| 4 ment

*

MADELINE 215

LY

ment and expectation alternately aſſailed her
boſom; the hope of again beholding him, the
poſſibility, diſtantas it was, that he might pre-
vail on her father, put reſolution to flight and
almoſt unknown to herſelf, encouraged the
hope, that ſhe mig!:t yet be Mrs. Glanville;
but the day arrived when ine was to loſe her
comforter, her brother, the companion of infant
happineſs, her guide in perplexity, that for a
time baniſhed even che loved image of Glan-
ville; her mother, her tender mother, appear-
ed alſo to decline, grief ſat heavy at her heart,
and ſhe was haſtening to the tomb, while ſhe
ſuppreſſed her feclings in compaſſion to lier
children; her huſband's gloomy reſerve in-
creaſed, and in the friendſhip of her invaluable
Mrs. Montgomery ſhe found her only conſo-
lation, to ſupport her ſinking fpirits in part-
ing with Joſiah, Mrs. Montgomery, attended |
by Madeline and Ellen, very early left the

Caſtle on the day appointed for his departure,
it was a clear morning in September, the
drops of the preceding evening ſhower ſtill
trembled on the variegated foliage, a low
3 wind

216 MAD ELIN E.

wind ruſtled through the wood, and haſtened
the fall of deſcending leaves; Madeline had
quitted the Caſtle overwhelmed with ſadneſs,
even“ the laughter loving” Ellen was grave,
and felt a wiſh to weep, © Oh my Ellen!“ ſaid
Madeline as they lingered behind their mother,
« I feel a painful preſentiment, that our days
of thoughtleſs gaiety and innocent delight
are drawing near a cloſe; Fanny is fled, Mi-
riam is wretched, Joſiah baniſhed by a cruel
father, our dear friend Primroſe declines, how
then can we be happy as we have been?“
How indeed! replied Ellen, ſighing, but fay,
is it fancy, or my fears, for you are a nice ob-
ſerver, do you not think our mother looks
unwell ? and our father, where is that mirth
that uſed ſo to enliven us? he is melancholy,
ſighs, retires in tears and wanders hours alone;
good God! interrupted Madeline, gaſping,
you freeze my blood; oh! thought turn not
that way] added ſhe, a little recovering.

They reached their mother, and ſilence en-
ſued, the golden leaves ſhook by equinoxial
| blaſts,

MADELINE, 217

thick around them, and brought reflection to
the mind of Madeline, emblem of our cir-
cumſtances, faid ſhe, ſurveying the fading
ſcene, but a few months ſince ye bloomed in
all the pride of verdure, flouriſhed in iragrant

ſweetneſs; now, unheeded lie in low neglect,

next revolving year, lot and forgotten, blend-
ed with the common duſt, and trodden under
foot, be as ye ne'er had ben, ſuch is the fra-
gile ſtate of human bliſs, of poormortality ; to-
day rich in hope, high in expectation, to-
morrow the heart ſickens at the contraſt time
may bring; then be it mine, eternal being,
to make that happier choice which time and

death defies, that riſes brighter o'er the ſilent .

tomb, and ſhines in future worlds.” On their

arrival at the valley, Mary Summers ſilently

led Mrs. Montgomery to the apartment of
Mrs. Primroſe; the parlour door half open
diſcovered Joſiah ſitting in a melancholy poſ-
ture; Madeline, faid Ellen, deny him not
the few remaining moments and left her, her
heart oppreſſed with varied uneaſineſs, ſhe

feared unequal to the taſk of ſaying formally,
vor. I. L

farewell !

213 MADELINE.

farewell ! to the youth, ſhe well knew lived
but to adore her; ſhe would have retreated,

| he raiſed his head which had leaned on his

hand; fear not, Madeline, faid he, my hour of
hope is paſt, fad certainty is mine, and poor
Joſiah can no longer pain thee;” he led ner
to the ſofa, hid his face with his hands, and
fell at her feet; riſe Joſiah, ſhe cried, ſpare a
heart already burſting. * Excellent Madeline
ſuffer theſe few ſhort moments to be paſſed,
where I would wiſh to paſs eternity, and ac-
cept the laſt vows of a foul, that until the
hour of diſſolution can never ceaſe to love, to

honor, and eſteem thee; even then, remem-

brance of thy gentle form and wonderous vir-
tues, will ſooth the parting pang, and cheer
the gloom of death; ſtill ſhall the conſcious
ſpirit hover round thee, and watch thy mo-
ments with a guardian angel's care, until it
hails thee in thy native heaven. I have
loved thee with a love ſo pure, ſo holy,
charming maid ! that while I ſought the ſoft
indulgence of my guiltleſs paſſion, thy peace
was ſtill preferred, ſtill were thy honor, ſafety,

g wiſhes

MADELINE, 219

wiſhes and repoſe my firſt delight; ſince I
received thy hard command to be ſilent, the
voice of murmur never hath obtruded on
thine ear; if then, obedience merits approba-
tion, deign to reward it with one ſmile, and
cheer this angmſhed hour with compliance to
one requeſt ; the ſoft remembrance of thine
own mercy may gladden thee, when thy
Joſiah ſlumbers with the dead. The heart of
Madeline was ſoftened, her ſenſibility awaken-
ed to a degree of torture, the virtues of the
youth whom ſhe loved as the deareſt brother,
and whom ſhe was about to loſe, perhaps for
ever, all ruſhed upon her mind ſo forcibly, that
had Joſiah at that moment deſired the plight-
ed promiſe of her hand, it had been given,
and ſhe had thought her heart approved the
gift; and when ſhe rephed, © deareſt Joſiah,
aſk what you wiſh, nor fear refuſal from your
Madeline, waited with an anxious in-
quietude, a trembling expectation, indefina-
ble to herſelf, for that very requeſt, when he
replied, with heſitation, a little curl of thine
hair, ſhe reſpired freely, and felt as if a weight

L 2 had

220 MADELINE.

Led been removed from her breaſt, kindly
taking his hand, my dear friend, ſhe ſaid,
have prepared a little remembrance of Ma-
deline's regard;“ ſhe then gave him a locket
from ker watch, with an elegant device in her
cwn hair, adding, 'tis a poor teſtimony of what
I feel, for reſt aſſured, neither time nor cir-
cumſtance can eraſe that eſteem with which
yeur worth has inſpired me, and I hope, nay
I expect, attempting to ſmile, that the friend-
Vip we formed in youth, built upon the ſureſt
| baſes, virtue, wilt not only cheer our future
life, but lend even mortality itſelf a charm.”
Hereceived her preſent with alively tranſport,
ſaying, as he preſſed it to his lips, with this
mark of thy confidence and regard, I am far
from wretched, the continuance of thy appro-
bation will, while it inſpires, reward the hum-
ble worth of thy Joſiah ; deign bright maid
to accept this picture, tis the brother of thy
Miriam, of thy lover who reveres thee ; ſhe
received it with pleaſure and hung it to her
watch, without once thinking of the brilliants,

which encircled it; his father's voice on the
ſtairs

MADELINE. 221

ſtirs made him ſtart ; bleſſed Madeline! he
cried, a laſt embrace ! ſhe trembled, roſe and
received his head on her neck, when Mr.
Primroſe appeared; fon, he cried, without
ſeeming to obſerve his emotion, thy mother
weepeth for thee, tarry not here I pray thee,
but ſpeed unto her preſence ; he retired, when
his father turning to the weeping Madeline,
exclaimed, in a harſh tone, © thee weepeſt
damſel, let itallay thy pride, thee canſt mourn,
tet it humble, ſoften thine heart, for thee
haſt made the voice of forrow to be heard in my
dwelling; thee teareſt the fon of my love
from my boſom ; thee reduceſt the wife of my
youth to the grave, thee perverteſt the ſoul
of my daughter, and thee overwhelmeſt my
declining years with calamity. I thought thee
lowly in ſpirit, loved thy goodneſs, approved
thy modeſty, and would have given thee my
ſon, would have made thee as my child, butthe
prince of darkneſs prevails, vanity triumphs,
and thee prefereſtthe garments of wantonneſs to
the robes of humility, thee ſpurneſt the unaſſum-
ing, turneſt to folly and will wed with diſſipation,

fink

222 MADELINE.
fink in impunity, and bring a poor old man
with diſappointment to the duſt ; the heart of
Mr. Primroſe was agonizcd, the complaints of
his wife, the tears of his daughter, with the
ſufferings and departure of his ſon ; without
reflefting that they onginated in his own
blind bigotry and inflexibility, he imputed to
Madeline; partial with a degree of guilt to
his own tenets, he would allow nothing to
the firmneſs of another's principles; to vanity,
and a fondneſs for dreſs, he attributed her
rejection of his fon, and when the hour of
ſeparation arrived, (his breaſt, unable to con-
tain its portion of miſery, and hardened to
every plea of juſtice or remorſe,) he exhauſt-
ed all the bitterneſs of reproach upon the un-
offending Madeline ; her ſentiments were al-
ways juſt, her judgement clear and unpreju-
diced, while the ſenſibility that melted at the
ſufferings of the amiable ſon, animated her
courage, and gave her ſpirit to retort upon
the obdurate father. Ceaſe, fir, ſhe replied,
your torrent of reproaches, wound not a mind
already much afflicted, nor impute to me the
COnN-

MADE IL IN. 223

conſequences of your own blind bigotry, but
in the retroſpect read, that which my lips
diſdain to utter, poor unhappy man! driven
by che fury of an erring zeal, a late contrition
will ſadden every future hour of life; thou
father of my deareſt friends, ſhe continued,
ſoftning, ſpare yourſelf the pang, hear the
whiſpers of relenting conſcience ; oh! be
taught! the path of rectitude will lead to
heaven, while the poor fanatic, too careful of
his forms, miſtakes the happy way, wanders
trom right, nor ever finds again the peaceful
tract; Mr. Primroſe, then turn thee, and go
not childleſs to the grave. Struck with the
fervid appeal, he would have yielded to the
voice of reaſon, removed the veil of error
from his eyes, and made at leaſt his Miriam
happy; when that dark demon which uſurps
religion's form, ſad ſuperſtition, again re-
ſumed her influence, and blindly led him to
provoke his ruin.

. Madeline had quitted him, and with her
mother and Ellen was offering the conſola-
tion

224 MADELINE,

tion of friendſhip to Miriam and her mother,
when he entered, and faying the chaiſe waited,
Joſiah roſe from his knees at his mother's
feet, and ſilently faluted all but Madeline,
on whom he dared not caſta parting glance,
followed his father in agony too big for utter-
ance ; without the ceremony of requeſting,
Mrs. Primroſe was forced by her friends to
the Caſtle ; Mrs. Montgomery wiſely conſi-
dering any ſcene more likely to compoſe her
maternal feelings, than that where ſhe parted
with her beloved Joſiah. On their arrival
they were informed the Major was gone to
Howard Place, where indeed he went daily,
being particularly anxious for the Baronet's re-
turn. To divert the attention of the depreſſed
Mrs. Primrofe, they paid a viſit ta the aſylum,
and in the prattle of Mary's two fiſters, for a
moment loſt the remembrance of her ſorrows,

END OF THE FIRST VOLUME,